West Palm Beach Armory Art Center, Art center in West Palm Beach, United States

The West Palm Beach Armory Art Center occupies a 1939 Art Deco building by architect William Manley King, now at 811 Park Place after its move from 1703 South Lake Avenue. Inside are studios and galleries for painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics and jewelry making, run since 1987 as a county-rented art center.

The Armory was built in 1939 in Art Deco style by architect William Manley King with Works Progress Administration funds. The National Guard occupied it from 1939 to 1982, and in the 1950s and 1960s it hosted Palm Beach High School dances and community events. After the Norton School of Art closed in 1987, Robert and Mary Montgomery gave $100,000 to open an art center in the building; in 2002 they donated $1 million to remove their name from the organization, which became simply Armory Art Center.

The building's name changed in 2002: Robert and Mary Montgomery gave $1 million to take their name off the organisation, which became simply Armory Art Center, while their name stayed on the historic structure. The center opened in 1987 after the Norton School of Art closed, leaving 250 students and 40 faculty without a place to work.

The center occupies the 1939 armory at 811 Park Place, having moved from 1703 South Lake Avenue. It rents the building from Palm Beach County for $1 a year. Look for the Art Deco facade by architect William Manley King before entering the studios and galleries.

The building displays Art Deco architecture from the 1930s featuring characteristic geometric patterns and streamlined forms. These architectural elements remain visible as the structure functions as an art center today.