EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE SELECTED FOR BELMONT ARTS CENTER BOARD
David Bailey announced as new president
PENSACOLA, Fla. (June 18, 2008) – Officials of the Belmont Arts & Cultural Center have recently announced the selection of the new executive committee which will take the reigns for the 2008-09 fiscal year. David Bailey, local architect and planner at SMB Architecture and former vice president of the Belmont Board of Directors will take his seat as president on September 1
when current president Michelle Ortiz-Miguez steps down after her three years at the helm. This will be Bailey’s eighth year on the board.
“In the coming year, we plan to continue the direction set by Michelle and our excellent instructors for the glass and ceramics studios and music programs,” said Bailey. “My focus will also be on the much-needed renovations to the center, including completion of the new entrance and gallery space. The Belmont-DeVilliers neighborhood itself is a cultural
asset to Pensacola, with its rich history of music, and we are excited about being part of the revitalization of this part of Downtown.”
Board members voted at the June meeting. Other executive officers include Paul Bruno, vice president; Clyde Caillouet, second-term treasurer and Bradley “B.J.” Davis Jr., secretary. Ortiz-Miguez has been noted for laying much of the groundwork for the current success of the Belmont, including securing relationships with local organizations such as Pyramid and Big
Brothers/Big Sisters of NWFL.
“It is a true testament of all of the hard work of the Belmont board and staff when organizations call and want to partner with the Belmont Arts and Cultural Center based on what they have seen or heard happening here,” said Ortiz-Miquez. She further explains her confidence of passing along her “hands-on” involvement of the center including everything from handling day-to-day activities, coordinating the myriad of programs and classes as
well as creating a wealth of awareness of the center in the Pensacola area.
“I am very excited about what the new board president and executive committee will do going forward in taking the Belmont Arts Center to the next level,” said Ortiz-Miquez.
Bailey has already hit the ground running with his current, working vision with the growth of the center.
“We have a long-term plan that includes significant expansion of each of the main studios as well as opportunities for individual studios that can be rented by artists. We believe the Belmont Arts and Cultural Center is unique in this area and provides a place for artists of all skill levels and interests to come and have fun while developing their art,” said Bailey.
The Belmont Arts & Cultural Center is home to classes and programs such as glass-blowing, pottery, glass bead-making and Belmont Youth Band. Other premier events of the center include Hot Glass Cold Beer, Glass Jam, Music @ the Belmont and the newly-introduced Drive-In Movies/Classic Car Show, among others.
For additional information, contact the Belmont Arts & Cultural Center at (850) 429-1222 or visit www.belmontartscenter.com.