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 Carmen Solá de Pereira Ponce Cultural Center is a special place in Ponce, Puerto Rico. It is found at 70 Cristina Street in the city's historic area. This center is a hub for learning and cultural events. It also hosts many art shows. The building itself is quite old, designed way back in 1870. The Cultural Center first opened its doors on November 12, 1963.
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History of the Cultural Center
The Cultural Center was started in 1963. It was founded by Judith Rodríguez Mirailh and Helvetia Nicole. Back then, it was known as La Casa de la Cultura, meaning "The House of Culture."
Since it began, the Center has worked hard to support art in Ponce. Ponce is known for its rich history and smart people. The Center helps artists show their work. They have a special event called Noches de Galería. Here, famous and new painters, artisans, and sculptors can display their amazing creations. The Cultural Center moved into its current building in 1996. Before that, its members met in different places, like people's homes.
What the Center Offers
The Center has many cool things to do. One popular event is "Noches de Galería." During these evenings, artists from Ponce and all over Puerto Rico show their art. More than 75 of these events have happened monthly since they started. This idea began when José Balay Ruiz was the Center's president.
The Cultural Center also plans and runs the yearly Feria de Artesanías de Ponce. This is a big craft fair. It takes place every April at Plaza Las Delicias.
About the Building
The building where the Center is located was designed in 1870. A Corsican architect named Juan Bertoli Calderoni created it. The building mixes styles like Colonial Spanish and Ponce Creole architecture. It has a beautiful courtyard with a gallery around it.
This building was once the home of Ermelindo Salazar. He was a very important person in Ponce. He owned land, was a merchant, a banker, and even served as mayor in 1880. In 1959, the building became the first home of the Museo de Arte de Ponce. The art museum moved to a new location in 1965.
Later, in 1990, the Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña fixed up the building. They made it the first home for the Museo de la Música Puertorriqueña. This house also has a cool secret: it was the first home in Ponce to have its own private telephone line! This line only connected the family's home to their business offices at the Port of Ponce. This was 17 years before other people in the city got phone service.
Who Was Carmen Solá de Pereira?
The Cultural Center is named after Carmen Solá de Pereira. She was a great educator and a representative from Ponce in the Puerto Rico Legislative Assembly. Carmen Solá de Pereira spent her life helping children. She especially focused on kids who faced challenges. She worked as a teacher and school principal in La Cantera. This was a community in Ponce that needed a lot of support.
Past Presidents
- 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
