ANNA MARIA ISLAND, Fla. — The facilities of an Anna Maria Island nonprofit have finally rebuilt after last year’s hurricanes.

The Artist Guild of Anna Maria Island had a "soft" opening on Jan. 24, but its official grand reopening is Friday.

Creating art from an idea is second nature for Kathy Patterson.

“I have been interested in art since I was young,” she said.

Her years of experience have also led her to teach art.

Patterson, who is president of the Artist Guild of Anna Maria Island, explained why she loves art.

“Oh, it’s a great way to relax," she said. "It’s a great way to get that creativity out."

She wanted to share the beauty of art with everyone, so she started working for the nonprofit six years ago. The organization allows its members to showcase and sell their artwork. It also offers scholarships to high school students, along with educational tours.

“We have an amazing location — we are right here in tourist land," Patterson said. "And while we have great residents that come and buy our art, we also have an awful lot of vacationers."

But when Hurricane Helene came through, its storm surge filled the nonprofit’s building with more than 3 feet of water, which ruined most of the artists’ work.

“Some removed it to big trash cans and threw it out. The problem was, it wasn’t just water, it was nasty water,” Patterson said.

It took the nonprofit more than four months to rebuild the gallery with some help from the art community.

“They chipped in a few different ways, volunteering and monetarily supporting,” she said.

Now, as Patterson looks on at newly added art, she hopes to recreate the same atmosphere the building once had.

“I think just being able to be part of the whole community again, helping out, and reaching out to the schools again, that’s what we are most excited about,” she said.

Patterson knows the Artist Guild not only helps local artists like herself, but also makes an impact in the community.

The grand reopening is set for 5-7:30 p.m. at 5414 Marina Drive in Holmes Beach.