  |
Don Vista Cultural Arts Center
3300 Pass-a-Grille Way
History // Suntan Arts // Gallery Schedule // Facility Rental
History of the Don Vista
The Don Vista building has been an integral part of the historic St. Pete Beach since its construction in 1925. The Don Vista was designed by Thomas J. Rowe, the builder of the Don CeSar Hotel and the developer of the surrounding Boca Ciega inlet, in the Mediterranean Revival style typical of the 1920's Florida land boom. Rowe used the building as a residence and workshop from 1925 to 1928 while the Don CeSar was being constructed. When the Don CeSar opened, the Don Vista became the administrative offices for the hotel and its bank. The Don Vista building served in that capacity until taken over during World war II as an ancillary facility for the Army Air Force hospital utilizing the hotel. The Don Vista specifically housed the offices and most of the classrooms of the Convalescent Services Division, and of the utmost importance the radio building. After World War II, the Don Vista building continued to be held by the United States Government for office use and as a Marine Fisheries Laboratory. Upon a 1973 gift from the Department of the Interior to the residents of St. Pete Beach, the city has utilized the building as a recreational and cultural community center. In 2005, with funds from grants and foundations, the City of St. Pete Beach renovated the Don Vista preserving much of its architectural structure.
The Don Vista Cultural Arts Center is available to rent for meetings, parties, group activities and gatherings. Click here for more information on facility rentals.
Suntan Arts Center was founded by 20 local artists and arts lovers in 1963 at which time it was incorporated as a not-for-profit organization through the State of Florida. The fledging group first met in St. Pete Beach at 348 Corey Avenue and had its first member show in 1964 on Gulf Blvd. (on the property that is now the Silas Dent’s Restaurant). For 16 years the organization had no permanent home for its artists and members to express and exhibit their artwork. In 1981, the City of St. Pete Beach provided the Suntan Arts Center space in the garage portion of the Don Vista Building in exchange for remodeling, teaching classes and workshops. Over time, Suntan’s membership grew to over 250 members. In 2000, Suntan applied for and received a historical grant to investigate the renovation of the Don Vista Building. In 2003, the City of St. Pete Beach embarked on the renovation of the Don Vista Building and Suntan members temporarily moved their operations to the neighboring City of Treasure Island.
Now that the renovation and restoration project is completed, the City of St. Pete Beach and the Suntan Art Members have re-established their affiliation in bringing quality arts education and opportunity for artistic expression back to the citizens and tourists of St. Pete Beach and surrounding area through exhibits, classes, workshops, demonstrations and outdoor art festivals at the Don Vista Cultural Arts Center.
Upcoming gallery openings and special events at the Don Vista:
Nov / Dec
FLAG – Florida Artist’s Group Area IV
Reception: Thursday, November 8 / 6:00 – 8:00pm
Jan / Feb 2008
Suntan Art Members ~ Open Invitational
Reception: Saturday, January 12 / 4:00 – 7:00pm
Mar / Apr
Suntan Art Members
Reception: Saturday, March 8 / 4:00 – 7:00pm
May / Jun
Fiber Arts
Reception: TBA
July / Aug
Robert Bruce Epstein
Reception: TBA
Sep / Oct
Suntan Art Members ~ Black and White Plus One
Reception: Saturday, September 13 / 4:00 – 7:00pm
Ongoing monthly rotation of art work by the Suntan Art Members in Meeting Room A (Park Studio) and the upstairs Mary Tracy Room of the Don Vista. The Suntan Show Committee has selected the following themes for 2007 and 2008
November Art and Architecture
December Plein-air Scenes
January 2008 Beach Watch
February Art with an Edge
March Green Movements
April Outside the Box
May Creative Connections
June Sun, Sand and Sea
July / August Flights of Fancy
September Black, White plus One Color
October Abstraction / Distraction
November Cityscapes
December Creative Vistas
Ongoing bi-monthly rotation of photographic arts in Meeting Room C. Coordinated with the assistance of Photographic Art Society of Florida with a membership of over 50 local photographers. For additional information on the Photographic Art Society, please call (727) 596-7822 or check out their website at www.PhotographicArtSociety.org
- Ongoing rotation of Don Vista student work in the Mary Nabor's Room.
|
