Location

Atlantic Center for the Arts is located in New Smyrna Beach, a semi-rural town of 24,000 permanent residents whose economy is based on fishing, tourism and service-related industries. The population of New Smyrna Beach residents is approximately 24,000 with 39% over the age of 60.  Of the year-around residents, approximately 92% are White, 6.3% are African American, and the remaining are Hispanic and other ethnicities (Source:  2000 Census).  The average household income is higher in New Smyrna Beach than Volusia County as a whole, with $47,307 per annum compared to $43,875. The major towns with closest proximity to Atlantic Center are: Daytona Beach, 15 miles north; DeLand, 25 miles west; and Orlando, 55 miles southwest.

Tourism is the area’s single largest industry because of the beaches, river and access to the inlet.  New Smyrna Beach is a vacation destination for visitors from around the region, the state, the nation, and is a popular tourist destination for a large number of international visitors. 

New Smyrna Beach and the vicinity of Southeast Volusia are famous for water sports.  The 13 miles of beaches boast a habitat for surfing, swimming, sunbathing, boating and fishing, the barrier island is separated from Daytona Beach by Ponce Inlet, which permits boaters and fishermen access to the Atlantic Ocean from the Indian River/Intracoastal Waterway.  The southern part of the barrier island is home to the pristine Mosquito Lagoon and 57,000 acre Canaveral National Seashore Park, said to be the nation’s longest stretch of remaining undeveloped seashore. Smyrna Dunes Park, at the northern tip of the island, features a 1.5 mile boardwalk loop around the inlet through pristine nature and coastal dunes. 

The area is also home to Spruce Creek, a unique, natural blackwater stream that courses through the Spruce Creek Basin. There are few examples of this type of river left undisturbed in Florida.  Spruce Creek enjoys a Class III water quality rating and Outstanding Florida Waters designation due to its relatively undisturbed condition, and is also designated as an official State Canoe trail.   It is host to a variety of endangered species and special wildlife areas, including: crab and shrimp nursery areas, nesting areas for birds such as the American Oyster Catcher, the Yellow-crowned Night Heron, the Florida Sandhill Crane, and a variety of raptors including Osprey and Bald Eagles, Red-cockaded Woodpeckers, and the endangered Wood Stork. The rare Atlantic Salt Marsh Snake, endangered Manatees, and Alligators have been observed.  A sub-species of King’s Crown conch, aptly named Melongena Sprucecreekensi, is unique to this area, and is found at the mouth of the Creek. It is this diversity in aquatic habitat, flora and fauna that makes this body of water such an exceptional natural resource. The acquisition of these 2,300+ acres is known as the Doris Leeper Spruce Creek Preserve, named for ACA’s founder because of her key efforts in advancing the Preserve project.  A hiking/biking/horseback riding trail provides a stunning overview of the Creek.

New Smyrna Beach has the distinction of being included in the book “The 100 Best Small Art Towns in America: Where to Discover Creative Communities, Fresh Air, and Affordable Living,” by John Villani.  Atlantic Center for the Arts, an international artists-in-residence community located on 67 pristine acres on Turnbull Bay, was cited as one of the most important factors in the designation. "Atlantic Center continues to attract the contemporary art world's top names in painting and sculpture to teach midcareer artists," Villani wrote.

While New Smyrna’s beautiful white sand beaches are a major attraction, Flagler Avenue, the beachside’s main street, is lined with quaint boutiques and art galleries, accented by children's artwork hanging from lampposts and decorating street benches. (Just one of many community art projects coordinated through ACA’s community arts staff.) Historic downtown Canal Street, home to The Artist's Workshop, also boasts distinctive antique shops and galleries.

Atlantic Center’s downtown community arts center, ACA at Harris House that opened in 1991, impressed Villani, as well.  "Atlantic Center has one of the best funded community art centers in the country, Harris House, a very active visual arts exhibition and educational facility," he wrote. "The emphasis here is on local and regional arts and artists, with some of Florida's top names conducting day-long classes and lectures, evening poetry readings, children's art programs, group and one-artist shows, and an arts and humanities lecture series."

Atlantic Center for the Arts also captured the attention of Anne Jeffrey and Aletta Dreiller, authors of “The Art Lover's Guide to Florida.” "Finding yourself in 67 secluded acres complete with small art gallery, theater, library, and various studios where nationally recognized artists can develop and test new works is a surprise and a treat," the authors write.

For more information on the surrounding areas, please visit www.volusia.org.

Directions to Atlantic Center for the Arts

1414 Art Center Avenue · New Smyrna Beach 32168
Telephone: 386.427.6975, 800.393.6975
Hours: M-F 10-4, Sat 10 - 2, Closed Sunday

FROM ORLANDO AIRPORT (MCO)

After renting your car from Orlando Airport, follow the Beachline Expressway #528 East towards the coast. When 528 meets I-95, exit and head North on I-95.  Take I-95 to New Smyrna Beach Exit 249.  Exit and turn right onto RT. 44 eastbound. Just past the second traffic light on RT. 44 are signs to Business 44, which begins across from the Kmart shopping center. Make a short left then turn right at the first stop sign onto Business 44. At the traffic light past the railroad tracks, turn left and go north on US-1 (Old Dixie Highway). Drive north 3.6 miles. Past the Airport is a brown and white sign (on the right side) pointing to a left turn onto Art Center Avenue, and proceed .8 of a mile. Turn right on Frances and Van Massey Drive (first right after Frank Hubbard Drive). Parking spaces for the Associate Housing Units are indicated on your map. Housing Units 1-14 are located to the north and Housing Units 15-28 are located to the west.

From Orlando/Winter Park

1. Take I-4 East to Exit 118 New Smyrna Beach/Deland.
2. The exit will blend into SR 44 EAST.
3. Follow SR 44 EAST for approx. 20 miles.
4. (See sign: Welcome to New Smyrna Beach, speed limit decreases to 45 mph)
5. Just past the fifth traffic light on RT. 44 across from K-Mart are signs to Business 44. Get in the left lane and make a LEFT. Then immediately bear RIGHT. You will be on Business 44.
6. At the traffic light past the railroad tracks, turn LEFT onto US-1 or Old Dixie Highway.
7. Drive North 3.5 miles.
8. After you pass the airport, you will see a brown and white sign on the right hand side of the road that points to a left turn onto Art Center Avenue. Turn LEFT.
9. Proceed .8 of a mile.
10. Turn Right onto Van and Fran Massey Drive (first right after Frank Hubbard Road).

From the East Coast of South Florida

1. Take I-95 North to New Smyrna Beach Exit 249.
2. Exit right and turn RIGHT onto RT. 44 heading East.
3. Just past the fourth traffic light on RT. 44 across from K-Mart are signs to Business 44. Get in the left lane and make a LEFT. Then immediately bear RIGHT. You will be on Business 44.
4. At the traffic light past the railroad tracks, turn LEFT onto US-1 or Old Dixie Highway.
5. Drive North 3.5 miles.
6. After you pass the airport, you will see a brown and white sign on the right hand side of the road that points to a left turn onto Art Center Avenue. Turn LEFT.
7. Proceed .8 of a mile.
8. Turn Right onto Van and Fran Massey Drive (first right after Frank Hubbard Road).

From Northern Florida (Jacksonville)

1. Take I-95 South to New Smyrna Beach Exit 249A.
2. Exit right and turn RIGHT onto RT. 44 heading East.
3. Just past the fifth traffic light on RT. 44 across from K-Mart are signs to Business 44. Get in the left lane and make a LEFT. Then immediately bear RIGHT. You will be on Business 44.
4. At the traffic light past the railroad tracks, turn LEFT onto US-1 or Old Dixie Highway.
5. Drive North 3.5 miles.
6. After you pass the airport, you will see a brown and white sign on the right hand side of the road that points to a left turn onto Art Center Avenue. Turn LEFT.
7. Proceed .8 of a mile.
8. Turn Right onto Van and Fran Massey Drive (first right after Frank Hubbard Road).