Dear Dedicated Member,

In 2022, my husband and I relocated to Vero Beach with our young daughter and small dog to be closer to family. We enjoyed a smooth transition thanks to the many wonderful and kind people we met through the VBMA Family Programs.

We had hardly unpacked when I began bringing my two-year-old daughter to the Museum Stories program for weekly storytime and fun art activities. I quickly met other parents and caregivers who were happy to chat with me about the best coffee shops and their favorite local activities. We engaged in deeper conversations about the joys and challenges of parenting.  Sometimes, storytime would spill over into pleasant playdates on the lawn in the Museum’s beautiful sculpture garden or end with a scenic walk with our children through Riverside Park. Some connections have grown into meaningful, close friendships. The people of Vero and our ties to the VBMA make us feel at home in our new community.

My two-year-old daughter loves attending the Museum Stories program, where she is greeted and welcomed by name with a smile.  She makes a beeline to the bookshelves before storytime begins. Yayoi Kusama Covered Everything in Dots and Wasn’t Sorry and The ABCs of Art are two of her favorite books. She also has a great time building magnetic tiles with other children, pushing buttons on the wall that play animal sounds, and coloring at the art station.

Last year, we visited the VBMA galleries during the Museum Babies and Toddlers program for engaging lessons centered on works of art. In the Rolling Sculpture exhibit, my daughter was delighted to answer questions about shapes and colors related to motorcycles and cars, and the children created their very own rolling sculptures from cut paper and paints. We are excited about what the Museum has planned for the Ancient Egypt exhibition!

It takes a village, and together we can help make art programs accessible to everyone. Thank you so much for supporting the Vero Beach Museum of Art. Each gift reflects a spirit of generosity and a commitment to our community. We hope to see you at the Museum soon.

Gratefully,

Courtney Royle, Mom of a future art lover

P.S. Your Annual Fund gift enables our Museum to offer enriching and engaging art experiences to thousands of individuals of all ages and differences, many of whom might not otherwise have access.