Culture & the Arts

Top photo: Silverball Retro Arcade © MasterWing Creative Agency Bottom photo: Artwork from Delray Affair A LONGTIME HAVEN FOR THE ARTS, Delray Beach established itself as a winter colony for famous cartoonists like Fontaine Fox and Herb Roth from the 1930s through the ‘50s. Visual artists continued to flock to the coastal village, establishing warehouse studios in Pineapple Grove, opening galleries, and starting one of the Palm Beaches’ most successful art walks. The Cornell Art Museum, at the southern cusp of downtown, has become one of the region’s preeminent venues for contemporary art, while the historic Delray Affair and other art fairs continue to bring world-class artists to the area every year. Performing arts also thrive in our village by the sea, with cabaret stars and folksingers performing intimate sets at the Crest Theatre, the Old School Square Pavilion hosting free Friday night concerts, and nearby Arts Garage welcoming an eclectic array of blues, jazz, rock and Latin groups. Those seeking a live theatre fix can enjoy the Delray Beach Playhouse’s jampacked season of musicals, plays and touring performers.

Arts Warehouse

313 N.E. Third St., Delray Beach (561) 330-9614 | www.delraycra.org/artswarehouse This Delray Beach CRA rehabilitated warehouse located on Artists Alley in the Pineapple Grove district is an arts incubator space for artist residencies, arts education and community-based arts projects, as well as exhibitions, events and talks focused in contemporary art. The Arts Warehouse provides developmental programs and assistance to visual artists locally, nationally and internationally.

Arts Garage

94 N.E. Second Ave., Delray Beach (561) 450-6357 | www.artsgarage.org Arts Garage connects our community to the world through the arts. This drives all of our decision-making. The programs at Arts Garage bring local, emerging artists and established global performers into our South Florida multicultural community—students and adults, locals and tourists, people of all ages, income levels and backgrounds and who share a love of the arts. From Grammy Award-winning musicians to emerging, local artists, Arts Garage hosts a

CULTURE & The Arts

diversity of musical talent, while its Grassroots Gallery exhibits emerging visual artists from the Delray Beach area.

Blue Gallery

600 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach (561) 265-0020 | www.bluefineart.com Blue Gallery showcases Israeli art from internationally acclaimed artists reflecting a worldwide sensibility. Original paintings, sculptures, serigraphs, etchings, unusual textures, colors and dimensions distinctive in contemporary art are on display.

Cornell Art Museum at Old School Square

51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach (561) 243-7922 www.oldschoolsquare.org Housed in the restored and recently renovated 1913 Delray Elementary building, the Cornell Art Museum strives to show nationally and internationally recognized contemporary artists who create innovative and provocative works of art. By exposing visitors to exhibitions that are culturally relevant and exciting, the Museum hopes to foster creativity and inspire imagination. Museum shows typically begin with a theme and blossom into dynamic group exhibitions that intrigue visitors from all backgrounds.

Crest Theatre at Old School Square

51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach (561) 243-7922 www.oldschoolsquare.org Experience the thrill of world-class concerts, dance, cabaret, comedy, family programs and lectures in an intimate, historic setting. This restored 1925 high school building engages you from the moment you enter the lobby, where local artists display their work, to the moment you enter the intimate, 323-seat theater where the magic

Spady Cultural Heritage Museum

begins! The Crest Theatre was dedicated in 1993 as the performing arts center of Old School Square. Originally the high school auditorium, the theater was re-designed as a state-of-the-art facility. The interior design combines the original high school color, blue, with warm burgundy and gold accents. The original stage was only 12 feet deep. During restoration, the stage was enlarged, and two stories of additional space were added for a backstage area, dressing rooms and storage. The original proscenium remains an important historical feature of the theater.

The Delray Affair

60th Anniversary, April 8-10, 2022 Produced by the Greater Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce (561) 278-0424 www.DelrayAffair.com The Delray Affair is an award-winning event that features more than 500 exhibitors including artists, crafters, and food vendors from Delray Beach and all over the country. The event spans across 10 city blocks in downtown Delray Beach on Atlantic Ave. Admission is FREE. We’re so excited that many community partners continue to come together preparing for our 60th year. Held in April each year, there are special events produced by our friends at Old School Square, the Downtown Development Authority, and the Historical Society to add unique historical and contemporary activities to our favorite Delray tradition!

The Delray Beach Historical Society

3 N.E. First St., Delray Beach (561) 274-9578 www.delraybeachhistory.org The Delray Beach Historical Society is a vibrant center for community life whose focus is to bring together families and mul-

Arts Garage

tiple generations to share in a series of funfilled and contemporary themed programs and events, which showcase the colorful stories of Delray’s past. The campus features historic Cason Cottage, built in 1924 and named after Dr. J.R. Cason, Sr., the town’s first physician. Visitors enjoy workshops, lectures and summer camp here. The 1926 Florida Bungalow provides space for exhibits on local Florida history. The Hunt House is an original 1908 Florida farmhouse, which was dedicated and named the Ethel Sterling Williams Archive and History Learning Center in 2009. This state-of-the-art and award-winning center houses the City’s archives and is open for local research, archive donations and exhibits. The Delray Beach Historical Society’s Educational Heritage Garden is a one-acre “living museum,” for the study of Delray Beach History, pioneer ecosystems and sustainability.

Delray Art Foundation/ Delray Art League

P.O. Box 6673, Delray Beach (561) 699-8087 www.delrayartleague.com Since 1965, with the support of the City of Delray Beach and Old School Square, the Delray Art League has been promoting visual art, art education and culture in the community. Today DAL is considered to be one of the premier art organizations in Palm Beach County, with many award-winning and nationally recognized artists among its membership. Many of our artists can be seen exhibiting on weekends at Veterans Park or Old School Square. As a result of our “Artists in the Park” shows, the DAL Educational Fund has awarded more than $110,000 in student scholarships and stipends to local institutions. If you are interested in knowing more about the Delray Art League or how you can become a member, visit www.delrayartleague.com.

Delray Beach Playhouse

950 Lake Shore Drive Delray Beach (561) 272-1281 www.delraybeachplayhouse.com The Delray Beach Playhouse is a modern, fully equipped 238-seat theater. Its productions provide unique acting opportunities for talented and motivated performers. The Playhouse is a nonprofit organization which strives to expand its commitment to serving the community at large through several outreach programs. Since the Delray Beach Playhouse opened its doors in 1947, thousands of members and hundreds of actors and volunteers have participated in live theatre for all ages. Many more will come to the Playhouse, nestled in a park on beautiful Lake Ida, for the Broadway plays, musical programs, children’s theatre productions, classes and camp.

Delray Beach Public Library

100 W. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach (561) 266-0194 | www.delraylibrary.org The Delray Beach Public Library, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is about more than just books! This more than 100-year-old institution impacts our community by connecting people, inspiring minds and changing lives. It has an extensive book and media collection, free internet access, a computer training lab, an Empowerment Zone, art exhibits, concerts, a teen lounge, a children’s story room, a Lifelong Learning Community Institute and a wide variety of programming for children, teens and adults.

The Fieldhouse at Old School Square

51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach (561) 243-7922 | www.oldschoolsquare.org The Fieldhouse, formerly known as the Vintage Gymnasium, has been a popular venue for parties, wedding receptions, dances, craft/trade shows, community events, town gatherings and other creative uses.

Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens

4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach (561) 495-0233 | www.morikami.org Morikami’s mission is to engage a diverse audience by presenting Japanese cultural experiences that educate and inspire. Since opening in 1977, Morikami has been a center for Japanese arts and culture in South Florida. With rotating exhibitions, tea ceremonies performed monthly (October through May) in the Seishin-an tea house, educational outreach programs with local schools and organizations, and Japanese traditional festivals celebrated for the public several times a year, Morikami strives to spread appreciation for the living culture of Japan.

Spady Cultural Heritage Museum

170 N.E. Fifth Ave., Delray Beach (561) 279-8883 | www.spadymuseum.com The Spady Cultural Heritage Museum is dedicated to discovering, collecting and sharing the African-American history and heritage of Palm Beach County. Located in the former home of the late Solomon D. Spady, the most prominent African-American educator and community leader in Delray Beach from 1922 to 1957, the museum opened in July 2001 and is the only Black History Museum & Cultural Center of its kind in Palm Beach County. It has become a destination for people of all cultures seeking information about Florida’s early Black communities and culture. The museum has exhibited a series of shows, highlighting the talents and influences of African-Americans, Caribbean-Americans and Haitian-Americans. Shows ranging from photographic galleries of founding families to contemporary shows on minorities in medicine and the arts have adorned its walls. In addition, through its Youth Cultural Empowerment Program, Ride & Remember Trolley Tours, special events, Spady Living Heritage Festival and community forums, the museum has become a community hub for the exchange of ideas, art and culture.