In 2009, the gallery’s founder, Anne Brooke, and a group of local artists, began working with local businesses creating what became known as the Art Amble. Businesses and local shops provided venues for local artists to show their work, creating a walking gallery of local art. 

Around 2012, when the historical Jackson County Jail became available, the city chose to lease it to this small art organization and Art Presence Art Center opened its doors as a non-profit, membership gallery. 

The building having been used as a jail until the 1940’s, was empty for many years, and then became a Children’s Museum. As a gallery it still showed it’s previous jail decor, including burlap walls, concrete structure, and jail bars around the center loft. Through the next years, new carpet was installed, the burlap became drywall, and the space evolved into a popular art gallery. 

Located in the Jacksonville Historic District in southern Oregon, which was designated a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 1966, Art Presence Art Center, in its 12th year, is the only fine art gallery and art education center in town. Jacksonville, listed as one of the top 10 small towns in the US, also sits in the center of one of the world’s top 5 wine destinations - Rogue Valley Wine Country. 

Thank you to our generous sponsors throughout the years that have made this group of artist’s dream not only come true, but thrive, and look toward a promising future. City of Jacksonville, Booster Club & Foundation, numerous sponsors, grants, etc.