(provided by Lloyd Marcus)
Cultural Arts Under Funded In Deltona!
Deltona Arts Center Seeks Funding.
DELTONA, FL/ MAY 19,2009: Deltona is the largest city in Volusia county. It is one of the fastest growing and on the list of Top 100 cities to live in the U.S.
While ripe with sports facilities, Dewey O. Boster Sports Complex, Wes Crile Park and more, little attention and funding is given to quality of life enhancement related to the arts.
Deltona Arts Center is an oasis of creativity in a cultural desert known as Deltona, Florida. It is a 501c3 non profit which does not receive operating funds from the city.
Astonishingly, in their 3,000 square foot building at 682 Deltona Boulevard, DAC hosts concerts by national and local acts including the Frankie V Big Band Jazz Orchestra, a Comedy Club, Open Mike, Songwriters Guild and Family Karaoke night. DAC offers music lessons on numerous instruments, two recording studios, art classes, dance classes, acting classes and art exhibits. It provides rehearsal space for the Hispanic American Youth Dance Group of Deltona.
Due to it's high visibility and respect in the community, NBC-TV program, "America's Got Talent" asked DAC's assistance with their Central Florida auditions. The DAC Mark Miller Art Gallery has hosted international art exhibits from China and Puerto Rico.
The Red Cross awarded DAC for their Katrina Aid Concert and CD which raised funds for victims of Hurricane Katrina. Deltona Arts Recording studio organized Central Florida singers to record "Save Gabi" a song which raised funds for seven year old Gabrielle LaVerde suffering with Neimann- Pick C (childhood Alzeheimer's disease).
Since opening in 1998, DAC has survived economy down turns and threat of foreclosure to become a vital asset to the community. This "little arts center that could" has launched music and art careers fulfilling the dreams of many with minimal staff, volunteers and very little funding. It's altruistic mission is to provide an extremely unique opportunity for working class artists to fulfill their creative dreams. Also, to educate, inspire, uplift and unite cultures via the arts.
The driving force behind DAC's mission and future vision is the passion of it's president, Lloyd Marcus. Marcus is a renowned singer/songwriter and fine artist. As an African American child growing up in the ghetto of East Baltimore, Marcus experienced the life changing impact of exposure to the arts. Marcus fondly remembers his dad taking him and his three younger siblings to see the movie, "The Sound of Music" in a beautiful theater downtown. "They had just begun admitting blacks", said Marcus. He left the theater remembering every song. Marcus said, "I was the only kid in my neighbor singing Edelweiss". The film broaden Marcus' horizons. The experience inspired Marcus to launch the DAC Horizons Project youth outreach program.
Plans are underway for a new Deltona Arts & Performance Center where Marcus plans to continue impacting lives and broadening horizons. He will offer free matinées of the "Nutcracker" and other performances to school kids.
With DAC busting out at the seams with activities, Deltona is in desperate need of a new arts and performance facility. Retired developer, Gary Paduch, has donated a site plan and architectural renditions for a new 30 million dollar arts and performance center.
DAC is seeking funds to keep its doors open, pay off the current $240,000 mortgage and begin building the new facility. You can help by becoming a member ($25 annually) and/ or making a one time, monthly or annual financial contribution. NO AMOUNT IS TOO SMALL. Please consider DAC in your Will and estate planning. Also, volunteers are always needed. Your support is greatly appreciated.
The Deltona Arts & Historical Center, Inc. 682 Deltona Blvd, Deltona 32725 386-575-2601 Tues-Fri Noon - 4PM ArtGallery/Deltona's History/Recording Studio Deltona Songwriters Guild 1st Tuesday monthly 7PM Kids&Teens Art Classes on Tuesdays Adult Art Classes Volunteers & Instructors always needed.
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Lloyd Marcus, President, DAC.
954-934-9588
DeltonaArts.com
Deltona Arts & Historical Center, Inc. is a 501c3 non profit.