Suntan Art Center, Inc is a 510(c)(3)not for profit organization located at the Historic Don Vista Building in St. Pete Beach. Here’s the history of the Don Vista building and Suntan Art Center. (Find out about their Gala Event- March 16)
Lying in the shadow of the Don CeSar Resort, Suntan Art Center’s mission is to bring quality recreation, education and opportunities for artistic expression to the citizens of St. Pete Beach and the surrounding area through exhibition, classes, workshops, demonstrations and outdoor art fairs.
In 1924, ailing businessman Thomas J Rowe came to Florida from Maryland and settled in St Petersburg. He dabbled in real estate but was drawn to the beach. He purchased an 80 acre strip of land encircling the Boca Ciega inlet and extending west to the Gulf for $100,000 and was instrumental in creating a bridge to serve Pass-a Grille from St Pete. He hired architect Henry Dupont from Indianapolis and contractor Carlton Beard and a dream was born. The subdivision he created is known as Don Cesar Place. In 1925 work began on the “pink castle,”the Don CeSar, later nicknamed the Pink Lady. The hotel opened Jan 16, 1928. Rowe lived in the penthouse and managed the hotel himself. His former residence next door, what is now known as the Don Vista building, became the administrative offices for the hotel as well as a bank for his guests. In 1939, Thomas Rowe passed away without a will and the building was left to Rowe’s wife. Though she attempted to keep it going, the start of the war left the hotel virtually without guests.
The property was purchased by the Army for $450,000 in 1942 and was used as a military hospital, as well as an airplane and submarine spotting station. In February 1944, it became an Air Force Convalescent center The gallery portion of the smaller building on the south side garaged the facility’s firehouse and fire truck. In June, 1945 the rehab facility was closed.It was converted into a Regional Veterans administration office by the end of 1945. Along with a fire truck, in what is now an art gallery, the building next door has at times housed the US Fish and Wildlife services for the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries lab and other Federal agencies. In 1953, the Don CeSar fire truck was turned over to the towns of Don CeSar Place and Belle Vista Beach for $150 for the purpose of creating their own volunteer fire dept.
The idea for the Suntan Art Center was introduced by Richard Loeb of St Pete Beach, who became its first president.. He had been taking some painting classes at the recreation center and saw a need for a dedicated local art center. In April, 1963 Suntan Art Center was formed with 29 charter members at a site donated by Mr. W. W. Upham in the Upham building at 348 Corey Ave. Classes and exhibits were held there for approximately 10 months. WW Upham donated use of that store room. When a “real” tenant was located, Suntan moved down the street.
February 1964, Suntan moved to 5501 Gulf Blvd, now the location of the Silas Dent Restaurant, in the building adjacent to the London Wax Museum. Once again Suntan had free rent until their building changed hands. This space was made possible by the generosity of Mr. Stambaugh whose Wax Museum had just opened the previous year. When the building sold, Suntan looked for a new home. They found one just up the street.
During the summer of 1965, Suntan members began painting at their next location at 6999 Gulf Blvd, currently the location of American Legion, Post 305, just north of McDonalds. The building had previously been a fruit stand, a laundromat and, after renovations by Suntan’s 123 members and their spouses using donations of lumber and materials from neighboring businesses, it became Suntan’s new home. The grand opening was in October of that year and it remained Suntan’s home until 1969.
In Sept 1969, Suntan received its 501(C)(3) non-profit designation. It moved back to Corey Avenue, at the NE corner of Blind Pass, where it remained a genuine hub of art activity until 1981 when the landlord found a higher paying tenant.
Approximately 30 years ago, Suntan moved to the Don Vista Community Center, in exchange for “fixing up the place” and $5 per member, to be remitted annually to the City of St Petersburg Beach. Suntan volunteers replaced the overhead door used by the fire truck with glass windows and a door, turning the fire truck’s garage into gallery space. The building was renovated by the city in 1983-84.
Suntan has maintained a presence at the Don Vista ever since, with the exception of 2 years, 2003-2005, spent in Treasure Island while the most recent renovations took place. Suntan returned in early 2006 with 2 shows per year in the new gallery and one Suntan teacher who taught two classes to three students.
Today there are nearly 20 teachers teaching 36 weekly offerings, featuring drawing, painting, warm glass and music. There are ten weekly wellness classes with instructors Beth Cole, Barbara Anton and Jenn MacHarg, Zumba classes with Nicole Brunette and Christine Ghezzo and 2 stretch and tone classes with Jane Putzel. Suntan also hosts an afterschool art program with Pinellas County teacher, Linda Griffin. The organization also produces three art shows each month in galleries throughout the building.
Suntan currently has an agreement, a memorandum of understanding, first signed with the City in 2008. The most recent version was passed last winter. During these hard economic times, Suntan has taken over responsibility for the costs of running the facility and still gives a percentage of its proceeds, including facility rentals, classes and art sales, to the City of St Pete Beach. The Center continues to function with one paid employee and a staff of committed volunteers.
Over the years Suntan has shared fundraising activities with other local organizations such as its first benefit fashion show with the St. Petersburg Garden Club in 1964. They held an annual Starving Artist Yard Sale that evolved into the Saturday Art Mart currently held on the patio in Pass-a Grille across from the Hurricane Restaurant. In 2009, Suntan approached the City of St. Pete Beach with the notion of creating a Sunday Market on Corey Avenue, complete with fresh produce, gourmet foods, fresh seafood and cheeses as well as local arts and crafts. The little market has since moved to 3300 Gulf Blvd, where it shares the artwork and fine craft of its members along with produce and artisanal foods. In 2011, work began on a public art project that now adorns the east façade of the Don Vista building. (see photo above right) Using materials funded by the generous contributions of the community, Suntan members and community volunteers worked side by side to create a glass mural depicting life at the beach, that spans 22 feet. After over a year of planning, cutting and placement, the glass, mastic and grout came together. The mural was dedicated in March of 2012.
In August of 2012, Suntan was honored with the Corporate Support Award, presented by the Florida Recreation and Park Association. The award is presented annually to a Corporation, Foundation, or Business Entity which has made significant and consistent contributions to the parks, recreation and leisure services field, without concern for direct personal or corporate gain or profit through sponsorship, creation or implementation of programs which have advanced the field or opened new opportunities for such advancement, within the last one year period.
Date: February 2013