HISTORIC BUILDING PANEL RECAP
Quest for a Cultural Center
Tom Winter
Supporters gather following a meeting of local government officials to hear the initial plans for the cultural center.
In 1980, a group of forward-thinking residents observed that Stuart needed a cultural center to
grow. Their vision years ago included space for nonprofit organizations, places to perform, space to exhibit
and to gather.
With hindsight that only history can provide, it is now clear that this dream had merit but was a
few years too early. About six years ago, the Council’s board of directors began to think big, lofty and ambitious
goals... perhaps it was time to pull the old drawings out and consider making plans for a cultural center
to serve Martin County’s arts and cultural community. And so, we were off with a big, hairy, audacious
goal... but with no specific space or location.
A task force formed, we brainstormed, prioritized, and gathered models from other communities.
But with no property or building in mind, the effort languished. Fast forward to August 2016, during a
board of directors planning retreat, members were asked to draw on a whiteboard and pictorially show what
they wanted to see in the future. More than one building appeared on this space along with sentiments expressed
about collaboration and expanding opportunities for performing, visual and literary artists. By now
we were aware of a space, the old Stuart High School on East Ocean Boulevard which was recently vacated
by school district personnel.
Excitement grew. Volunteers toured the space. An expert architect, Rick Gonzalez, consulted with
the board and toured the space. A referral from Joe Catrambone, Stuart Martin County Chamber of Commerce
led to a meeting with Jeff Hardin, Straticon Construction. More formal brainstorming meetings and
visioning sessions brought us to make a presentation to the City, County, and School Board at a joint session
of all three local governmental bodies.
And now today, two years since that first glance at Stuart High School we are deeply interested and
excited about what this space could mean to our community, our artists, our children, our teachers, and our
reputation as a small town of amazing arts and culture!
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