First Coast Cultural Center raises $786,000 at 5th Annual Beaches

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. - May 20, 2024 - PRLog -- This year's First Coast Cultural Center Beaches - A Celebration of the Arts annual fundraising event was held on Sunday, April 28 at the TPC Sawgrass Clubhouse in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. The gala raised a record amount of funds with $786,000 in donations from patrons throughout Northeast Florida. The amount of funds raised includes pledges made now until January 2025.

The event featured keynote speaker and Honorary Chair Aundra Wallace, President of JAXUSA Partnership. Local media celebrity and marketing executive Charlene Shirk served as the evening's emcee.

Highlights of the evening included the prestigious Irene Lazzara - Beaches, A Celebration of the Arts Award which was presented to Janet Wilson.

Additional awards include the Emerging Artist Award bestowed to Cole Shapiro.

The Ron and Hilah Autrey Arts Education and Advocacy Award was given to Jim Draper.

Additionally, the Community Impact Award (Member's Choice) was awarded to Joseph P. Bryant.

The Art of Giving Award was presented to Zena Groover.

New this year was the #Gulanism Award from Dr. Arun Gulani of Gulani Vision Institute and was given to Allison Reade.

First Coast Cultural Center awarded its Employee of the Year honor to Kimberly Sheridan, and its Volunteer of the Year award to local painter and artist Marlene Scheer.

Honors were presented to individuals, businesses, and organizations within the coastal counties of Nassau, Duval, and St. Johns, between Amelia Island and St. Augustine Beach and honorees who go above and beyond to enhance the arts and culture in the region. Award winners were chosen by a committee of judges who are unaffiliated with the Cultural Center, with the exception of the Community Impact Award which will be a Cultural Center member's Choice Award.

Event funds will support the nonprofit through ticket sales, sponsorships, program and signage opportunities, and leaders in arts and culture.

First Coast Cultural Center's new building is formally opened with arts, culture, community activities, and a gift shop at 6000B Sawgrass Village Circle in Ponte Vedra Beach. The two-story, 6,000-square-foot space was funded in part by local donors and an additional support campaign is currently in place with the Beaches gala and numerous events. Visit the website at https://firstcoastculturalcenter.org.