Our Mission Quincy Art Center connects people to the power of art by creating opportunities to experience, make, and share it.
For more than a century, Quincy Art Center has been a vital part of Quincy’s cultural landscape. As a nonprofit visual art organization, we celebrate fine art through dynamic exhibits, meaningful education programs, and engaging community events.
Our home in Quincy’s historic East End blends the charm of an 1887 carriage house with the energy of a modern gallery addition, symbolizing our commitment to both tradition and innovation in the arts.
Our Story Began in 1923
Quincy Art Center’s legacy began on January 23, 1923, when a group of visionary women founded the Quincy Art Club “to foster the aesthetic needs of Quincy and develop among her citizens an appreciation of Art in its broad and universal sense as applied to life.”
Their passion quickly took shape through exhibits, lectures, and art education. The first exhibition featured watercolors of Swiss and Italian landscapes by English artist J.R. Donne as a fitting start to a long tradition of sharing fine art with the public.
Notable Milestones
Throughout the decades, the Center evolved under the leadership of dedicated directors and volunteers, each helping expand its reach, resources, and impact.
1927
Elizabeth M. Sinnock was elected president of the Quincy Art Club, a position she held until her death in 1975. Her nearly five decades of leadership profoundly shaped the organization’s direction and legacy.
1932
The Quincy Art Club leased the carriage house behind the Lorenzo Bull Mansion from the Quincy Park District.
1947
Opening of the Elizabeth M. Sinnock Gallery, designed in the art moderne style by Charles F. Behrensmeyer.
1969
Hiring of the first professional director, John Arthur, with support from the Quincy Foundation.
1990
Completion of a modern expansion designed by Architechnics, Inc., adding new galleries and classrooms for ceramics, printmaking, and studio arts.
1991
Mariann Barnard became the professional director of the Quincy Art Center.
1994
Julie D. Nelson replaces Barnard as professional director.
2014
Nelson retires and the role of executive director and curator was passed on to Jennifer Teter.
2024
Quincy Art Center hires Sandra Hite as executive director.
Become a Member
Today, Quincy Art Center thrives as a place where artists, students, and patrons come together to learn, create, and celebrate visual art.
Community Support
The Quincy Art Center’s success has always depended on the generosity of its community. We are supported in part by memberships, donations, grants, and fundraising events, each helping sustain the exhibits and programs that make art accessible to all.
Every contribution, large or small, helps strengthen the Quincy Art Center’s role as a creative anchor for Quincy and the surrounding region.
