History of the Bosque Arts Center

We're working on writing a new and complete history of the organization. Please check back soon for the full story.

The Building -- Donated by C.E. "Pat" Olsen

• Clifton Lutheran College founded in 1896
• Clifton Lutheran College erected in 1923
• Fire in 1925 destroyed the college leaving behind the administrative building, now The Bosque Arts Center
  
• Clifton Lutheran College closed its doors in 1954; memories are still alive and well. Gearench moved in.
• Pat Olsen donated building in early 1980's

The Bosque County Conservatory of Fine Arts -- Joan Spieler

• Early 1950's Joan Spieler moved to Clifton and sought out to fulfill the needs of Bosque County with a multi-purpose fine arts center with the help of Pat Olsen's generous donation.
• In May of 1981, the IRS certified the Bosque County Conservatory of Fine Arts (BCCFA) as a Non-Profit as the result of Joan Spieler and hundreds of volunteers.
• 1982, the BCCFA was officially dedicated and doors opened. It's name was shortened to Bosque Conservatory in the late 1990s, and was changed again, to the Bosque Arts Center, in 2009.
• A 1995 Interview with Joan Spieler

The Roland Jones Memorial Gallery

One of the state's most unique, yet unknown art galleries is housed in the conservatory and was opened in 1989 in memory of Roland Jones' father. The Jones Award is a purchase from the Art Council's Art Show into permanent collection for the Art Center. The Roland Jones Gallery will, in the future house the personal collection of noted art collectors and Art Center benefactors Roland and Joyce Jones, residents of Bosque County for more than 40 years.

We're working on writing a new and complete history of the organization. Please check back soon for the full story.