New Apalachicola Board to Tackle Arts, History

A new arm of the city of Apalachicola has began its work in earnest this work, focusing on coordinating and assisting the city's museums, cultural centers and visual and performing arts facilities.
Known as the "Apalachicola Board for the History, Culture and Arts," the new nine-member group was approved unanimously at the city commission's June 3 meeting following a presentation by Apalachicola shopkeeper Joe Taylor.
"It's an exciting time for those of us who live in Apalachicola," he said. "There's growth all around us."
Taylor brought forth two families, Scotty Tucker and his seventh grade daughter, Carlie, and Cindy Steiger and her daughter, Savannah, to share how valuable their experiences had been to experience painting first hand at the Plein Air Paint-Out.
That event had been held at the Cotton Exchange, the 1837 Water Street structure recently bought by the city using Florida Community Trust (FCT) funds. Taylor asked for, and was granted, permission, to create a visual arts center at the historic building. The proposal also called for the adjacent lot to the rear of the building to be used as an outdoor classroom for pottery and children.
"It's for all children," said Scotty Tucker. "It's a good thing."
Steiger talked about how she had taken part in Carol Harris' music program, performing at the Cotton Exchange. "It's one of the first times I've ever actually painted," she said.
"It's a great opportunity, a wonderful thing for them to be involved in," said Savannah's mom.
Taylor stressed that the group could help infuse the city's museums, and the new visual arts center, with better cost-efficiencies, and as an umbrella group, help with communication and cooperation.
""This activity can bring people together as one community," Taylor said. "If a board were established, we could see a vision of how everything works."
He told the commission that the new board could generate revenue through fundraisers, offering a stipend to both local and national artists to serve as paid instructors. He mentioned classes, for as many as eight students, could be held by such local artists as Cass Allen, Heather Parker and Sandra Castillo.
With support from City Commissioner Valentina Webb, the new group was approved as a board, which goes further than being an advisory committee and gives it the possibility of being able to handle finances independently of the city commission.
At the new board's meeting Monday morning, June 30, City Administrator Betty Webb asked that the group formalize itself as a board, and advised them of changes that will be needed in order for them to use the Cotton Exchange for a secondary purpose as a visual arts center.
She explained that the city's application for FCT funds had specified that the 19th century cotton warehouse would be transformed into a "museum and historic demonstration building" that would highlight the area's "fishing heritage."
Webb advised that the management plan the city is now drawing up as part of the FCT follow-up would have to be amended to accommodate this alternate use.
She also stressed that FCT rules prevent the building to be used for money-making purposes, other than as a site for generating funds that are poured back into a city or non-profit program.
Taylor said that when the Gulf Alliance for the Arts presented its plein air paint-out in the spring, he researched the matter and determined that up to half the proceeds of the sale of an artwork could be paid to the artist in compensation for their time and effort.
After a brainstorming meeting in which a variety of ideas were presented, the board elected Taylor its chairman and made Webb his co-chairman.
Also on hand for the meeting were board members Bill Spohrer, president of the Apalachicola Area Historical Society; Ed Springer, representing the visual arts; Teresa Ann Martin, representing the performing arts; and Anita Grove, executive director of the Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce.
Absent from the meeting were board members Maria Marshall, co-director of the Apalachicola Museum of Art; and Pam Mahr, a member of the board of directors of the Apalachicola Bay Charter School.
A ninth member of the board remains to be appointed by the city commission.
Also attending this first official meeting was Webb and city secretary Shirley Byrd, Coombs House Inn owner Lynn Wilson Spohrer, Panhandle Players members Caroline and Jeff Ilardi, Apalachicola artist Leslie Coon and Apalachicola board of adjustment member Anna Maria Cannatella.
In Taylor's proposal to cerate the new board, it specifies that it would have the duty "to provide an annual assessment of needs and available resources to ensure the best use of city facilities and service to the community."
In addition to the Apalachicola Museum of Art, the Apalachicola Maritime Museum, and the Raney House, all museums operated by local non-profit groups, the board indicated an interest in working closely with the Dixie Theatre, a local-non profit performing arts center, and the Holy Family Center, a city-owned building near Franklin Square that is currently shuttered but could be restored. Already an African-American History museum, and a senior citizens center, have been discussed as options for the facility, which once served as the Catholic Church's outreach to the Hill community in the era prior to integration.
For the time being, the board is taking a careful, encompassing approach to their challenges, taking a look at their mission, which includes building a "Museum Trail," a network of city, state and privately owned museums, providing professional arts and arts education programs, and "opportunities for success" by working closely with the schools in targeting children and young adults, especially to those who are considered at-risk.
"Kids here need an opportunity to be successful at things," said Taylor.
One of the new visual art center's first prominent events will be on Friday, July 25, when it hosts an "Arts Day," coordinated by Nadine Kahn, with assistance from Coon and other art instructors in the summer recreation program. The day will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will be open to area children interested in art.
"However many show up that's how many we'll take," said Taylor. "We're going to make them feel special."