After more than three decades of existence, the Avery Arts Council is dissolving, Director Caitlin Morehouse said.

“I think the organization had really run out of steam,” said Morehouse, who said the decision was made in late July.

Cherry Johnson, executive director of the Watauga County Arts Council, said the Avery board had dwindled down to three members.

Morehouse noted that the organization’s bylaws require that any money left in the council’s bank account be allocated to another nonprofit. Johnson said the Toe River Arts Council has agreed to serve as the fiscal agent for the Avery Arts Council’s funds, keeping the money in a separate account for distribution to Avery County projects.

“It’s the wish of the remaining board members that basically the number that was raised in Avery go back to Avery,” Morehouse said.

The Avery Arts Council’s gallery in Linville will remain open through mid-September.

Kellen Moore contributed reporting to this article.