Guild History


The Guild's Founder, Eliot McMurrough of Indialantic, 1918-1976

Eliot was a member of the Fifth Avenue Art Gallery in Melbourne, Florida. He was a well-known painter, teacher, and art lecturer, as well as a longtime Space Coast resident. McMurrough came to Brevard from Sarasota in 1959, locating his art exhibits and demonstrations at U.S. 1 and Ballard Drive in old Eau Gallie. He later moved to the old Melbourne church building at Waverly Place and Strawbridge Avenue. For a time, he shared an office with Dr. Keuper at the Brevard Engineering College (now Florida Institute of Technology), ultimately establishing the Eliot McMurrough School of Art on Fifth Avenue in Indialantic.

McMurrough's impressive biography was evidence of his respected position in the art world. He has been listed in the Who's Who in the South and Southwest and the Dictionary of International Biography. He won the coveted Governor's Award in 1961, 1965, 1966, and 1968. His paintings have been shown in national shows in the U.S. and Canada, and his works have appeared in the publication "Prize-Winning Graphics." In addition, he taught at the Ringling School of Art, Lock Haven Art Center, and was a former director of the Florida Federation of Art Summer School.

The local press is a good source of historical information:


Space Coast Living Magazine 2001


Space Coast Living Magazine 2005