Reception to Celebrate the Arts

New residents and individuals who may be ready to take up an old hobby in arts or culture, or start one of those “someday, I will…” activities, may not be aware of local arts and cultural opportunities.

If so, the annual Homestead Center for the Arts (HCA) Celebration of the Arts, Friday, May 15, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., is the chance to meet like-minded people.

The reception at the Homestead Woman’s Club is a free event where members of nonprofit groups focused on different aspects of local arts and culture are happy to discuss what they offer. The Children’s Gallery and Art Center, East Everglades Orchid Society, Dance Expressions of Donna Lee Dance Studio, Homestead Town Hall Museum, Pioneer Museum, Seminole Theatre and Friends, South Florida National Parks Camera Club, South Florida Woodturners Guild, the Tropical Fruit and Vegetable Society, Underground Narrative Writers Group and What If Works Theater are among the groups.

HCA has more than 30 artists who work in all mediums, and several artists also provide art instruction in homes or at popular paint parties. The Children’s Art Gallery is located at Cauley Square and teaches classes for all ages. The Camera Club holds monthly lectures and field trips. Both the East Everglades Orchid Society and the Tropical Fruit and Vegetable Society Redland (TFVS) have monthly lectures, as well as activities throughout the year. TFVS can be seen almost weekly at Fruit and Spice Park providing support in plantings and similar efforts.

The Homestead Town Hall Museum is open year-round, and the Pioneer Museum is open from November through the end of May. The Seminole Theatre has programming in stage, music and dance productions, and the Seminole Players and Junior Players perform as community theater. Most organizations welcome volunteers for those who have time to contribute.

This year’s theme, “Countdown to 250th,” has special meaning. Homestead Center for the Arts was one of two arts and culture organizations established in 1976 as part of Homestead’s designation as a “Bicentennial City.” Even though the intended physical cultural arts complex never came to fruition, HCA has operated continuously as a virtual structure with the motto, “Keeping the Arts Alive.”

HCA meets monthly from September through June at the Woman’s Club. For more information, go to homesteadcenterforthearts.com or find the organization on Facebook and Instagram. Additional videos about members and groups are available at youtube.com/@homesteadarts.

There is no cost for the Celebration of the Arts, although RSVPs are requested to charlie@charliehudson.net or by calling (305) 230-9572. The event will take place Friday, May 15, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Homestead Woman’s Club, 17905 SW 292nd St., Homestead.