Panama City’s Center for the Arts Marks 100 Years with Centennial Garden Party and Historic Exhibits

PANAMA CITY, FL (June 18, 2025) – From Panama City’s first City Hall, to a police station and courthouse, the Visual Arts Center, and now the Center for the Arts, 19 East 4th Street is one of Downtown Panama City's most iconic landmarks. This year, the building is set to celebrate its monumental 100th anniversary with a series of special events, exhibits, and activities that will bring the rich history of the building—and the city—to life. Bay Arts Alliance hosted the Centennial Garden Party celebration on Saturday, July 19 from 6-9pm, offering a unique opportunity for residents, visitors, and history enthusiasts to explore the building’s rich past, its cultural significance, and its ongoing role in the community.

“I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the Panama City Center for the Arts serve as a beacon of creativity, connection, and culture for our community for many years,” said Jayson Kretzer, Executive Director of Bay Arts Alliance. “This iconic building holds a special place in our history, and as it celebrates its centennial, it is both an honor and a joy to be partnered with the City of Panama City to ensure its legacy thrives for generations to come.”

“It's a big milestone not just for the arts, but for the city,” said Kelsi McLendon, Operations Manager of the Center for the Arts. “We wanted to highlight the historical roots and growth of Downtown Panama City in tandem with our arts community. Thinking about our local foundations and where we were creatively back in 1925 has been very interesting to us, so we're hoping it is for others and we get to share that excitement with them.”

Exhibitions on display for the month of July will be the Southern Watercolor Society’s 48th Annual Exhibition, works by Krista Eggleston and works by Patricia Malec.

The Center for the Arts is open to the public Tuesday–Saturday 10am–5pm, Fridays 10am-7pm.