Art collective awarded facade grant for Sea Ranch Marina art garden

The board approved a facade improvement grant to support a project converting an underused commercial space at Sea Ranch Marina into an art studio, makerspace and outdoor sculpture garden.

The grant vote followed a presentation by Jim Inholm, manager of Sea Ranch Marina, and Jenna Pena, a local artist and board member with South Padre Island Art Space, who described the transformation of a roughly 3,400-square-foot shell of a building at the marina into a community art space. "We are looking to make an inclusive studio and makerspace," Pena said, adding the group plans bilingual art classes, family programs, seasonal events and gallery exhibitions.

The project, organized under an umbrella that the presenters described as Art Lounge / Art Launch and South Padre Island Art Space, is intended to activate an underused building and draw foot traffic from nearby Isla Blanca Park and Sea Ranch Marina visitors. Inholm said the applicants had been working with the landlord and that early interior work is complete; Pena said flooring was finished and artists were moving back in.

Board members discussed the scope of the exterior work, which the applicants described as removal of existing metal cladding, installation of HardiePlank-style siding, backlit signage, lighting upgrades and a proposed sculpture garden at the entrance. Pena told the board the full project cost could reach "$60,000 when all finalized." She also said the space currently supports more than 15 active artists and can host roughly "250 plus monthly participants" across classes and events.

Questions from board members focused on the financial model for artists using the space. Pena said the operation is a nonprofit co-op: artists pay a modest studio fee for space ("A hundred dollars a month," she said), and the facility will provide short-term rentals and flex space for larger projects. The presenters said the lease obligation to Sea Ranch Marina is through Shelly, who will sublease to ArtSpace and related operators.

After discussion the board made a motion "we provide the fence for the facade grant." The motion was seconded and approved with the board chair calling the question and members responding in the affirmative.

The project backers said they hope the improved facade and signage will better reflect the active programs inside and increase visitor visits and retail sales for local vendors.

The board did not record a detailed roll-call vote in the meeting transcript; the motion was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.