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Kristen Williams

ARE 6933
Lesson 5 Community Study

Cultural Council of Palm Beach County

Celebrating 40 years of supporting arts


and artists, this umbrella organization touts an
optimistic view of not having any growth
difficulties (N. Hickey, personal communication,
November 17, 2018). The Cultural Council
reported increase through grants and other
support by $605,774 in net revenue in 2017
and plenty of future plans to expand by new
CEO, Dave Lawrence (Cultural Council of Palm
Beach County, n.d.-a).
Graffiti mural done by Kobra on the back
The Cultural Council was founded in exterior wall of the Cultural Center.
1978 by entrepreneur Alexander W. Dreyfoos.  Tourist Development Tax
“Innovation, to me, is the result of two things. Campaign for the Arts,
One is the willingness to take risks, and the generating around $100 million
other is being creative in nature. Forming the through bed tax revenue
Cultural Council has been invaluable. It has  Protection of the Armory Arts
allowed a number of our arts organizations to Center from demolition as well as
flourish and new ones to form. We have done
renovation of many other
such a great job that much of the attraction of
historical, cultural, and
this area is because of the arts and culture.
recreational facilities
Beauty matters because people want to be
 Creation of Center for Creative
involved in beautiful things.” –Alexander W.
Education, which integrates art in
Dreyfoos (Cultural Council of Palm Beach
the classroom
County, n.d.-e).
 Grants to artists funded by
Notable accomplishments include: Florida State of the Arts license
tag.
 Fundraising campaign for the Raymond  Grant program established for
F. Kravis Center in response to a multicultural and children’s
community survey revealing the need programs
for a performing arts center.
 Arts & Culture magazine established to
recognize and promote local culture and
arts
 Privately funded grant programs, such as
one offering field trips allowing children the
opportunity to experience art and culture
(Cultural Council of Palm Beach County,
n.d.-e)
The Cultural Center of Palm Beach County

History of 601 Lake Avenue Landmark

The Cultural Council headquarters had many lives before its current use Cultural Council
of Palm Beach County, n.d.-e). It began in 1940 as a The Lake Theatre with a modern design
(streamline modern) with the latest in sound and moving pictures designed by architect, Roy A.
Benjamin. The theater helped in the war effort by offering free admission to those who
purchased war bonds as well as holding benefits for the USO. The theater started to fail in the
1970’s as multi-screen theaters became more common and closed in 1974.

It reopened in 1975 as the Pasta Palace. This diner offered dinners under $5 along with
free movie screenings. This business only lasted a year, reopening again as Horsefeathers. The
dining experience became centered on disco and movie stills.

A second disco took its place in 1979 named Kaleidoscope which was geared towards 12
to 18 year olds with a large dance floor and non-alcoholic drinks. It would close a year later.

Patrick Lannan opened the building once again in 1983 under the new purpose of
creating a museum for his collection of modern and contemporary American and European art.
Unfortunately, Lannan died of heart failure six months later. It remained a center for many
cultural arts and in 1991 it was donated to Palm Beach Community College.

They would later sell the building to Robert and Mary Montgomery, well known
philanthropists. The building became Palm Beach Institute of Contemporary Art in 2000. Artists
such as Warhol, Paik, Prado, and Arbus were shown drawing in diverse crowds. In 2010, the
building was donated to the Cultural Council, giving the organization a permanent home in
which to operate its many amazing ventures.
Current Exhibits

X Marks the Spot is an exhibit featuring 16 local graffiti artists, bringing attention to graffiti as a
mural art form. These artists who began as misguided youth have
developed into professional artists. It was interesting to hear the
personal stories from Manager of Artist Services, Nichole Hickey.
Some of the artists who originally were in trouble with the law are
now being respected and paid as professional artists (N. Hickey,
personal communication, November 17, 2018). She also expressed the
collaboration experience and how they each shared each other’s paint
so that the works would flow together harmoniously. Nicole shared
how they encouraged each other and pushed their comfort level for a
very outstanding show. Pieces included placed canvases for sale as
well as portions of art that were separate from the wall in order to make them purchasable.
Removing some of the canvases would reveal a new painting underneath.

Ray Gross CHNK EMO Grabster


Spray Paint on Ceramic SOOO FULL Paper Boats

Arive PHD Bulk Styles Atomic Craig McInnis

Not pictured:
 Adriano Ficarelli  Iron Mayer
 Cattelle  Ripes
 Hoxxoh  Venom
 Yvonne Parker
Solo Show: Featured artist, Nelson Babilonia, is from San Juan, Puerto
Rico and creates works based on his dreams (N. Hickey, personal
communication, November 17, 2018). He considers his work to be
abstract and surrealist.

Painted Poetry Looking at You Playing Piano Red Dreams

Fabricating Smiles is an exhibit features adults with disabilities,


with the goal of allowing them to achieve financial independence
and recognition (N. Hickey, personal communication, November 17,
2018). Training is offered both in collaboration and creative expression. This experimental,
multi-sensory experience prepares participants for professional business conversations and
situations.

Chiara Robinson Brittany Daniel Max Mizell


The Connections It’s Important to The Secret is to
of Artistic Find What Makes Intwine
Networking You Happy in Life

Headquarters: More than Just a Museum

 Arts In My Back Yard Family Saturdays: Families will get the chance to explore the arts
together in this free event through various arts and cultural organizations. The next
event is December 1st featuring family yoga and stencil art (N. Hickey, personal
communication, November 17, 2018).

o Future events: Drama Dragon January 12; Dancing the


Rhythm: African Dance and Drumming February 9.

 Evenings At The Council: Every 3rd Friday of the month, come enjoy local music and art
(Cultural Council of Palm Beach County, n.d.-b).
 Facility Use and Tours: The Cultural Council headquarters has space for business
meetings as well as parties and events. Tours are also provided free of charge (Cultural
Council of Palm Beach County, n.d.-c).

The Satellite

The Satellite is a project created by the Cultural Council that features a pop-up exhibit in
City Place in the West Palm Beach Collective building with proceeds going to local artists as well
as growing Palm Beach County’s arts and culture (Cultural Council of Palm Beach County, n.d.-
d). This pop-up will feature 8 rooms for arts and culture growth. Currently, there is a visitor
center followed by a featured organization that will give free access to education on topics
ranging from conservation to the arts. The second room will spotlight current exhibits, such as X
Marks the Spot. The third room is a project space for local and global artists to work on
sculpture and installation. Room four is the Foundations room will display work from winners of
Palm Beach County’s Cultural Consortium Fellowship. Room five is the monochrome room. Six
will feature the winner of the Dina Baker Award for Mature Female Artists. Seven is the Paws
and Claws room. This room is devoted to the subject of animals. Finally, room eight is the
Florida room which explores unique living spaces that are adapted for year round Florida
weather.

art&culture

Another way the Cultural Council spotlights local artists is through its magazine,
art&culture. The magazine has been in print for a decade and has three issues a year. The latest
issue features photographer Steven Caras’s images of local ballet dancers, twin fashion
designers dressing to pair with local murals, local pastry artists who have recreated iconic
county landmarks, local art news, and relevant advertisements of local businesses, such as
museums and jewelers.
Editor’s Note

I would like to thank Nichole Hickey, Manager of Artist Services, for taking the time to
speak to me about this great and far reaching organization. I enjoyed the tour and your
recount of artist’s process in the current shows. The Cultural Council has made such a big
difference in this community since its opening, supporting numerous artists and programs.
Thank you for your part in keeping it going.

MISSION

Fulfilling the need for arts and cultural experience in Palm Beach County.
Champion. Engage. Grow.

Key People

President and CEO: Dave Lawrence dlawrence@palmbeachculture.com

Manager of Artist Services: Nichole Hickey nhickey@palmbeachculture.com

Manager of Arts and Cultural Education: Ericka Squire esquire@palmbeachculture.com

601 Lake Avenue

Lake Worth, FL 33460

561-471-2901

PalmBeachCulture.com

Hours: Tuesday – Saturday

10a.m. – 5 p.m.
Resources

Cultural Council of Palm Beach County. (n.d.-a). Annual report: October 2016 - September 2017.
[Brochure]. [Lake Worth, FL]: Author.

Cultural Council of Palm Beach County. (n.d.-b). Evenings at the council. [Brochure]. [Lake
Worth, FL]: Author.

Cultural Council of Palm Beach County. (n.d.-c). Facility use & tours. [Brochure]. [Lake Worth,
FL]: Author.

Cultural Council of Palm Beach County. (n.d.-d). The satellite: A project of the Cultural Council
of Palm Beach County. [Brochure]. [Lake Worth, FL]: Author.

Cultural Council of Palm Beach County. (n.d.-e). Supporting the arts for 40 years. [Brochure].
[Lake Worth, FL]: Author.

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