Delray Center for the Arts – The Beating Heart of Delray

Old School Square Cultural Arts Center, now known as the Delray Beach Center for the Arts, was created thanks to the determination of a local group of citizens who saved the 1913 Delray Elementary and 1925 Delray High School buildings from demolition after they were abandoned by the Palm Beach County School District in the mid 1980’s.

Over $7 million was raised to restore and re-adapt the facilities for use as a museum and theatre. These Delray Beach Schools are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The entire site serves as a gathering place for the community and has been the site of thousands of events and festivals celebrating Delray’s energy and diversity. From the Garlic Festival and free Friday Night Concerts to museum exhibits and cabaret—Delray Center for the Arts is vibrant 365 days a year.

The site consists of several historic structures lovingly restored and now home to a vibrant cultural scene.

Crest Theatre

Housed in the restored 1925 Delray High School building, the Crest Theatre was dedicated in 1993 as the performing arts center of Old School Square.  Originally the high school auditorium, the Crest Theatre was re-designed as a charming, 323-seat, state-of-the-art facility combining the original high school color (blue) with warm burgundy and gold accents.  The original stage was only 12 feet deep; therefore two stories of additional space were added during restoration to provide backstage, dressing room and storage areas.  The original proscenium remains an important historic feature of the theater.  The Crest provides a truly intimate entertainment experience.

The Main Stage Series (November-April) offers professional theater, music and dance as well as national tours, comedy, and unique variety shows.  The Broadway Cabaret Series (January-April) features Broadway’s hottest stars. The Lecture Series (January-April) features notable speakers from around the country and a wide variety of topics. Past speakers have included Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, President Mary Robinson of Ireland and TV game show legend Bob Eubanks.

The Crest also serves as an important venue for other organizations, schools and community groups to present their own productions and presentations. Surrounding the theatre are nine beautifully restored classrooms which now serve as meeting, workshop, reception and classroom space.

Cornell Museum

Housed in the restored 1913 Delray Elementary building, the charming Cornell Museum of Art and American Culture is one of the surprises that people discover in Delray Beach. The Museum offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere. It was dedicated in 1990 as the visual arts center of Old School Square and named in honor of Delray residents Harriet W. and George D. Cornell.

The architecture, formally known as “Masonry Vernacular,” makes the building unique in the downtown area. This style was used for several smaller buildings in the Old School Square Historic Arts District. Without the colorful exhibit banners and other signage, one would never guess that the building is actually a museum. During the restoration process, the original atrium and classrooms, which are now exhibition spaces, were restored to preserve the rare Dade County Pine floors, tall windows and open space. The only significant modification to the interior was to open the atrium up to the second floor, allowing for natural light to stream in and provide a more spacious feel.

The first floor houses two large galleries and the Angelique Tea Room, which is used for classes, receptions and other special events. The second floor, which can be accessed by two grand staircases (or an elevator) has three exhibition galleries and the children’s interactive gallery.

Exhibits rotate every three to four months and feature an eclectic mix of local, national and international fine art, crafts and pop culture.

The Cornell Museum is located to the south of the Crest Theatre building, and is connected to the Crest Theatre building’s Ocean Breeze Room and portico by a covered loggia.

The Pavilion

Completed in early 2002, The Pavilion is a state-of-the-art, outdoor performance facility located on the center grounds of Old School Square.

A concession building with restrooms and covered loggias surround an open lawn. A large backstage area includes two small dressing rooms. The facility accommodates enclosed tented events for up to 1,000; gated concerts for up to 3,500; or open multi-day festivals.

The Pavilion presents the popular Free Friday Concert Series and hosts most of Delray’s major festivals.

Completed in early 2002, The Pavilion is a state-of-the-art, outdoor performance facility located on the center grounds of Old School Square.

A concession building with restrooms and covered loggias surround an open lawn. A large backstage area includes two small dressing rooms. The facility accommodates enclosed tented events for up to 1,000; gated concerts for up to 3,500; or open multi-day festivals

The Pavilion presents the popular Free Friday Concert Series and hosts most of Delray’s major festivals, including The Garlic Festival, Cinco De Mayo and First Night.

School of Creative Arts

The School of Creative Arts is located on the second floor of the Crest Theatre building.  The School offers beginner through master level classes, for all ages, during fall, winter and spring/summer sessions.

Classes include drawing, painting, watercolor, collage, mixed media, printmaking, introduction to digital camera use, fine art photography, Photoshop Elements, portrait & still life lighting techniques and expanded youth classes. A new addition is The Writers’ Colony, with classes and workshops centered on self-publishing and getting published.  Also new for 2013 is the Visiting Artist Workshop Series, targeting local and national professional and serious, non-professional artists.

Class brochures are available in the Crest Theatre lobby and may be downloaded from the website at www.delraycenterforthearts.org ; or call 561-243-7922, ext. 317 for additional information.

Vintage Gymnasium

This 1926 building was restored to preserve the character of the original structure. Seemingly frozen in time, the heavy wood beams still bear the markings of students who dared to climb up to scrawl their names in chalk. One such student was Ken Ellingsworth who grew up to be Delray’s long time Chamber of Commerce president and Vice Mayor.

Originally a separate building, the gymnasium was connected to the theatre’s backstage area during restoration.

While the gym is no longer used for sporting events, the original backboards remain in place. The loft, which held bleacher seating for the “away” teams, now provides space for seating or displays. The facility includes an adjacent food preparation/load-in area and the former locker rooms were converted to beautifully appointed restrooms. The facility has become a popular venue for parties, wedding receptions, dances, craft/trade shows, community events, town gatherings and other creative uses.