The Woodlands Art League President Kim Abbati, surrounded by pastel portraits, oil paintings, and sculptures created by young and old alike, has an unparalleled belief in the community's love for art. So, although WAL looking for a new home after Oct. 21 concerns her, she knows the tenacious league of art lovers and artists will find a way to ensure the organization's success.

Thanks to the generosity of Market Street staff and Market Street marketing director Jenny Taylor, Abbati said The Woodlands Art League was given a discounted rent rate for its gallery in Market Street, which now is being taken over by a full-paying retailer moving into the space.

Because of its high traffic Market Street location, Abbati said never before has the organization been so popular or received so much business.

"Classes are always full, summer camp was full and we're always wait-listed (for classes)," Abbati said. "It's basically a 15-minute drive from anywhere in The Woodlands. But the fact we've grown so much being here just makes me believe that something is going to work for us."

Abbati said many in the community are not aware The Woodlands Art League has been around since 1981. With the organization never having its own building or permanent home, it has always use a temporary gallery spots and the area's various community centers for artists workshops and demonstrations.

Abbati said the organization has grown into a formal league over the years, at its onset was merely "a group of local artists getting together."

"Now, we have women coming in from College Station, Beaumont and Huntsville for some of our workshops," Abbati said.

Just for the two years the league has been at Market Street, membership has grown from 400 to more than 600. Membership into the league costs $40 per year and includes an opportunity to display art in the league's gallery, attend workshops and visit artist demonstrations every fourth Thursday at 7 p.m. at the South County Community Center.

For the fall season, The Woodlands Art League is offering a variety of classes for children, teens and adults, Monday through Sunday. Instructional courses are available in clay, acrylic painting, mixed media art, oil and pastel portraiture, photography and nature art.

Classes can be one-on-one or in groups and range in price from $25 to $250, depending on length and group size.

Abbati said the league has also become more organized in recent years and has started fundraising for a new space.

"We have a planning committee and have come up with a budget, proposal and business plan," Abbati said. "We're calling real estate agents and getting laughed at ... you never know until you try."

Abbati said a big hope right now is the league will find corporate donors or patrons. Ideally, they would like a working art space that has room for a gallery, workshops and classes.

"We want to dream big and to have a home," Abbati said. "We need to unite everybody to help us find a new home where we can keep learning, keep growing and teaching."

The Woodlands Art League, 9595 Six Pines Drive, 281-419-1980, woodlandsartleague.org