By Holly Tishfield
The First Coast Cultural Center has been a staple of the Ponte Vedra community for more than 30 years, bringing art education and cultural programming to the First Coast area.
You might miss it, tucked away in a corner of Sawgrass Village, since the center moved just last year from its previous home.
For a long time, it was on Executive Way. Then, for a while, the First Coast Cultural Center (FCCC) lived in a temporary building located at Jacksonville Beach, but the facility took up residence back in Ponte Vedra nearly two years ago.
A high-traffic area where artists can rent space on the walls
Photo by Holly Tishfield
The new, two-story facility allows for more participants per class, an increased number of classes and a bigger space for larger cultural exhibits.
When you walk into the facility, you’ll find that the first floor includes a variety of functional spaces. There are meeting rooms for group gatherings or community programs, a small pottery studio with throwing wheels for member-based open studio hours and a music room for future and evening exhibition openings.
A gift shop near the entrance features handmade items and artwork from local artists, offering a rotating selection of unique pieces. The kitchen area toward the back of the facility is designed to host cooking classes and workshops, both for children and adults.
A social event bringing members with Parkinson’s Disease together
Contributed photo
Artwork from featured artists is displayed throughout the facility, with each piece available for purchase, which are available for artists to book per month, though the spaces are typically reserved up to 18 months in advance.
On the second floor, guests will find additional artwork displayed throughout the space, continuing the focus on local and rotating exhibitions. The floor also features a larger, open area which can accommodate a variety of programs and events. This flexible space is well-suited for art history presentations, guest speakers and group activities.
During the summer months, when many of the FCCC’s members take time away for travel, this floor serves as a central classroom for summer camp sessions. Parents can enroll their children in a variety of camp programs, including art camps that encourage creativity through hands-on projects, culinary camps and drama camps. With just two full-time employees, the cultural center relies on a combination of contracted instructors and dedicated volunteers to lead its wide range of camp programs and events.
The cultural center’s gift shop features many local artists.
Photo by Holly Tishfield
The FCCC also offers dozens of programs and events for adults throughout the year. Some of the most popular include the Luxury Coach & Lights Tour and the Holiday Shoppes.
“We live off of our mission statement, which is to bring art into the lives of the community,” said Silvia Romero, senior director of operations at the First Coast Cultural Center. “We do that in three ways: education, outreach and exhibitions.”
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the FCCC depends on the support of its members and the surrounding community to continue offering enriching experiences to the public.
Event fees go directly toward compensating guest speakers and instructors, and additional donations are always welcomed to help sustain programming.
To stay informed about upcoming events and classes, community members are encouraged to subscribe to the First Coast Cultural Center’s newsletter or stop by in person at 6000B Sawgrass Village Circle.
