Centro Cultural Carmen Solá de Pereira de Ponce facts for kids
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Centro Cultural de Ponce Carmen Solá de Pereira in Barrio Tercero, Ponce, Puerto Rico
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| Formation | 12 November 1963 |
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| Type | Government-owned corporation |
| Legal status | Statutory |
| Purpose | Educational & Cultural development |
| Headquarters | 70 Cristina Street |
| Location |
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Region served
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Porta Caribe |
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Membership
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Free |
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Official language
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Spanish |
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President
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Milagros Quiñones (2012– incumbent) |
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Key people
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Presidents: Helvetia Nicole (? - Now) |
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Parent organization
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Institute of Puerto Rican Culture |
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Budget
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Not available |
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Staff
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3 |
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Volunteers
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Not available |
| Remarks | Owner: Government of Puerto Rico |
The Centro Cultural Carmen Solá de Pereira de Ponce is a special place in Ponce, Puerto Rico. It's a cultural center located at 70 Cristina Street in the historic part of the city. This center is used for many fun and educational activities. It also hosts art shows. The building itself is very old, designed way back in 1870. The Centro Cultural de Ponce first opened its doors on November 12, 1963.
Contents
History of the Cultural Center
The Centro Cultural was started in 1963 by Judith Rodríguez Mirailh and Helvetia Nicole. It was first called La Casa de la Cultura, which means "The House of Culture." Since it began, the center has worked hard to help art grow in Ponce. It has a rich history of supporting artists. One popular event is Noches de Galería, or "Gallery Nights." During these nights, talented painters, artisans, and sculptors show their amazing work. The Centro Cultural de Ponce has been in its current building on Cristina Street since 1996. Before that, its members met in different places, like people's homes.
What the Center Offers
The Centro Cultural offers many exciting programs.
Noches de Galería
One of its main events is "Noches de Galería." This is where artists from Ponce and all over Puerto Rico display their creations. These gallery nights happen every month and have been very popular. More than 75 of these events have taken place! This special program began when José Balay Ruiz, a painter, was the president of the Centro.
Feria de Artesanías de Ponce
The Centro Cultural also organizes and runs the yearly Feria de Artesanías de Ponce. This is a big craft fair that takes place at Plaza Las Delicias. It happens every year in April. It's a great chance to see and buy unique handmade items.
The Building's Story
The building where the Centro Cultural is located has a long and interesting history.
Building Design and Style
The building was designed in 1870 by an architect named Juan Bertoli Calderoni. He was from Corsica. The building's style mixes old Colonial Spanish looks with local Ponce Creole architecture. It has a beautiful courtyard surrounded by a gallery.
Past Uses of the Building
This building was first the home of Ermelindo Salazar. He was a very important person in Ponce. He owned land, was a merchant, a banker, and even the mayor of Ponce in 1880. Later, in 1959, the building became the first home of the Museo de Arte de Ponce (Ponce Art Museum). The art museum moved to its current location in 1965. In 1990, the Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña (Institute of Puerto Rican Culture) fixed up the building. It then became the first home of the Museo de la Música Puertorriqueña (Museum of Puerto Rican Music).
First Private Telephone Line
Did you know this house was the first in Ponce to have its own private telephone line? This phone line only connected the family's home to their business offices at the Ponce port. This was 17 years before the rest of the city got telephone service!
About Carmen Solá de Pereira
The Cultural Center is named after Carmen Solá de Pereira. She was a wonderful educator and a representative from Ponce in the Puerto Rico Legislative Assembly. Carmen Solá de Pereira spent her life helping children who needed it most. She was a teacher and a school principal in La Cantera. This was a community in Ponce that faced many challenges.
Leaders of the Center
Many people have served as president of the Centro Cultural over the years:
- Helvetia Nicole (1963–1965)
- Ariel Colón Clavell (1965–1975)
- Héctor García (1975–1981)
- Héctor Méndez Loucil (1981–1986)
- Antonia Santiago (1986–1995)
- Julio Rodríguez (1995–1997)
- Héctor Estrada (1997–2001)
- Liarda Muñiz (2001–2003)
- Pedro Santiago (2003–2004)
- Carmen Santiago (2004–2007)
- José Balay (2007–2012)
- Iris Torres (Current President)
See also
- Residencia Ermelindo Salazar
- Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña
