FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – Hosting the third annual meeting for the organization, the Flagler County Cultural Council welcomed members and guests to the Southern Recreation Center on September 20, 2024.
Showcasing the achievements and accomplishments of the organization over the past year which has included the completion of the Flagler County Cultural Council’s strategic plan and the three pillars – Advocacy, Fostering Collaboration, and Support, it was a milestone celebration for the FC3 board of directors.
Elections were held for chair and vice chair of the organization, with Nancy Crouch continuing to serve as the chair with Jay Sherr taking on duties as the vice chair.
The meeting featured the three areas of focus for the Flagler County Cultural Council.
Arts and culture lovers were treated to a performance by Palm Coast City Repertory Theatre actors Laniece Fagundes, Michele O’Neil, and Phillipa Rose belting out several numbers from their current offering, an all-female version of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’.
Flagler Palm Coast High School photography teacher Angela Biggs presented the 19th Annual Flagler Palm Coast High School Student Photography Contest, providing attendees a sneak peek at the upcoming areas of concentration exhibition set to be held at the Creekside Festival October 5-6 at Princess Place Preserve.
“Some of them decided to pick things that are sentimental to bring into their pieces. A lot of the kids’ areas of concentration are landscapes, silhouettes, and equine/pet photography,” said Biggs. “The majority of them are definitely driven by the beauty of nature and the expression of nature.”
Selected as part of the countywide exhibition, students were excited and nervous to put their work on display.
“They were very excited, some a little stressed out because many of them, it’s the first time they’ve ever done a show, what-so-ever, some had never matted their prints and had to put a title to their artwork, so they had to think about that poetic title they would use.”
In the history category, Kathy Reichard-Ellavsky, President of the Palm Coast Historical Society discussed their recent success in partnering with the Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center for a free ticket giveaway, drawing visitors to the museum and raising awareness for the performing arts center’s upcoming season. Reichard-Ellavsky took time to plug two things near and dear to her heart, giving a shout out for the free upcoming speaker series talk featuring Bob Kealing’s “Good Day Sunshine Florida” about The Beatles, and urgent preservation efforts to save Fire Station #22 in Palm Coast and the request to allow the Palm Coast Historical Society, currently located in a small building in the back of Holland Park, to move into the historic building, as the last remaining ITT structure in the area.
“One of their original proposals was to tear down Fire Station #22 and turn it into a parking lot (for the community center),” she said. “This is the last building, built by ITT, that opened in 1977. It is the perfect location for the historical society welcome center. We have been working tirelessly for the last year and a half to have them consider another alternative for their parking.”
The Palm Coast City Council will vote on which parking expansion plan to approve at their October 1st meeting at 6 PM, and Reichard-Ellavsky hopes they choose Option #1 that keeps Fire Station #22 and adds parking around it.
During the meeting FC3 Chair Nancy Crouch took time to review the results of the national AEP-6 (Arts & Economic Prosperity 6) study conducted by the Americans for the Arts, noting it was Flagler’s first time ever participating in the national survey. Participating communities received specific results related to their locale, based on data collection from both residents and visitors regarding the economic impact of arts and culture. https://aep6.americansforthearts.org/
“It’s clear that when the arts are funded, we are investing in an industry that stimulates the economy, supports local jobs and contributes to building healthier and more vibrant communities,” said Crouch. “Nearly 90 percent of the surveys agree with the social impact of the arts.”
A poignant moment for the Flagler County Cultural Council team took place when outgoing Flagler County Commissioner David Sullivan, a staunch advocate for the creation of the Flagler County Cultural Council as the officially designated Local Arts Agency, received a recognition from the Council for his unwavering support.
“I appreciate all of you and everything you’ve done for the arts,” she said to the assembled.
The community is invited to learn more about the Flagler County Cultural Council by visiting www.flaglerartsandculture.org.
