- April 19, 2024
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Dear Editor:
A letter on June 1 said that Palm Coast Arts Foundation President Sam Perkovich was not aware of all the arts groups in our area. But Sam is not only well aware of the arts organizations in our area — both nonprofit and private — she is a patron member and donor to most of them. Her home is filled with art purchased at local galleries! She has done so much to bring increased support and visibility for the arts to the overall community. She is also well aware of the critical importance of the arts to the economic growth of our county as are many of us who are also involved in the arts.
Some history: In 2012, leaders from three arts groups, The Flagler Playhouse, the Flagler County Art League and PCAF, sought to make a greater impact by identifying 50 or more local arts and culture organizations in our county, and along with the assistance of the Tourist Development Council and the Chamber of Commerce, created an Arts Alliance to foster communication among our groups.
Local arts groups continue to collaborate and support one another. For example, FCAL, PCAF, the Flagler Playhouse and the Flagler Youth Orchestra sponsored a few “Taste of the Arts” events, including art, wine, food, music and theater — wonderful events!
PCAF and FCAL cosponsored “The Chair Affair,” a fundraiser for both organizations. In that event, FCAL artists repurposed 86 chairs into works of art and sold them at an auction sponsored by both organizations. FCAL worked with the Flagler Auditorium when we sponsored an unusual and signature event for them, a lecture by famous author Robert K. Wittman, a retired FBI agent who started the Art Crimes Division.
There are many more, but the major story is that local arts groups continue to support one another in many ways that may not be visible to all! The writer of the June 1 letter was correct: There are many successful arts venues in town. But Sam Perkovich’s vision is that, as Flagler County grows to 200,000, we can support a comprehensive “Center for the Arts” that will be able to sponsor major events. Sam has been in the forefront of making that dream a reality!
Ann DeLucia
President
The Flagler County Art League
