Come to the Panama City Center for the Arts to see some of the best local art in the 56th Bay Annual Exhibition from May 4–31.

Every year for the past 56 years, the arts center in downtown Panama City has accepted fine art submissions from across Northwest Florida and hired an outside judge to jury the submissions to the best of the best. The visiting judge then chooses four winners who are awarded at the opening reception.

The opening and awards reception will be on May 3 from 6–8pm. The awards will be announced around 7pm. Hope to see you there!

Enjoy summers of days gone by as we look forward to Bay County's favorite season. This collection of historic photographs celebrates summers in our area through the last hundred years. The photographs were carefully selected from the Bay County Library's local history collection by Laura Moree. Join us for the opening and refreshments on  May 4 form 2-4pm. The exhibit will be on display through June 1.

A class on creative seeing. Each week we’ll sharpen your eye by honing in on a different element of composition: perspective, framing, line, shape, pattern, texture, color, balance and symmetry. The goal is to be more intentional in your photography – seeing good composition faster,  making the photo rather than taking it. Examples for inspiration, in-class shooting, weekly assignments and critiques will help you pull it all together into remarkable photos.

In the late 1700’s, William Bartram explored the Southeast under extreme conditions. He encountered exotic diseases, hostile natives, raging rivers, and wild creatures, and he studied them all. Linnaeus called him the greatest botanist in the world.

But Bartram was actually following in the footsteps of another naturalist who explored the southeast sixty-two years earlier—Mark Catesby. Catesby conducted one of the earliest and most comprehensive studies of the flora and fauna of southeastern North America, which resulted in 263 watercolors and drawings, hundreds of preserved specimens, and fascinating field notes.

In her talk, “Before Bartram: Artist-Naturalist Mark Catesby,” at the Panama City Center for the Arts on May 24, at 6pm, Mallory O’Connor will be drawing parallels between Bartram and Catesby’s adventures and works. Attendees will also learn more about the historical and cultural context of their explorations and findings to more fully understand the importance and impact their travels had on the scientific community and world.

The lecture is the last in a series of humanities lectures scheduled throughout the year that are sponsored by the Florida Humanities Council with funds from the Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs.

Doors open at 5:30pm. Tickets cost $5 for members ($10 for non-members) and are for sale on the Panama City Center for the Arts website: www.pccenterforthearts.com/speaker-series.

More about Mallory O’Connor
Mallory O'Connor is a writer, an art historian, and a musician. She holds degrees in art, art history, and American history from Ohio University. For twenty years she taught art history at the University of Florida and at Santa Fe College. During this time, she also wrote hundreds of magazine articles and critical essays, and curated numerous exhibitions for museums and galleries.

She is the author of two non-fiction books, Lost Cities of the Ancient Southeast and Florida's American Heritage River, both published by the University Press of Florida. Her American River trilogy is her first foray into fiction novels.

Born in Illinois and raised on a ranch on the American River in Northern California, Mallory now resides with her husband, artist John O'Connor, in Micanopy, Florida.

If you’re pregnant or had a baby within the last six months, you and your family members are invited to attend Healthy Start’s World’s Greatest Baby Shower on Thursday, May 30th, at the First United Methodist Church, 903 East 4^th Street, 4:30pm until 6:30pm.

This FREE event will have education tables, vendors, games, snacks and tons of fabulous door prizes.  There’s even a special game for dads.

Come to Paulette Pearlman's UnReal ARTists Gallery and Michael Garden grand re-opening celebration on Memorial Day weekend. Or visit in the following months to see her newest art.

She'll be open from 10am–5pm from May 31–June 3, and 10am–2pm from June 4–June 7. Hope to see you there!

Backstage Pass is coming back on April 26, for a five concert series!

We don’t have a stage, but we do have a great parking lot at the Center for the Arts, so this year, we’re going to rename our series Backstage Pass @ The Music Lot.

We’ll have everyone’s favorite things about the event—drinking, tables, live music, and fun!

The concerts will begin at 6:30pm, and the Center for the Arts parking lot will open at 5:30pm.

This year’s line-up is:
April 26 – Andrew Tinch Jazz Group
May 17 – Jeff Carter Group
May 31 – The Jam Kings
June 14 – Anthony Peebles
June 28 – Reasonable Doubt

Tickets are $5. Tables are available for purchase at $50. Find more information on the Panama City Center for the Arts website at www.pccenterforthearts.com/backstage-pass.

Rain decisions will be made by 4:30 PM on the day of the concert and reschedule dates will be determined and announced should they be necessary.

The concerts are made possible by the following organizations: Innovations Federal Credit Union, Hancock-Whitney Bank, Island Junkies, Southern Supply and Downtown Dance.

More About The Jam Kings
The Jam Kings—keyboardist John Russo, drummer Joey Kirkland and bass player Johnnie Burrows—are a cover band specializing in rock, pop, country and piano bar standards. They have described their target audience as middle-aged people who appreciate music and like to dance. Russo and Kirkland started the band a few years ago, but they needed a guitar player. That’s when they approached Burrows. It took some convincing, but he finally agreed and The Jam Kings were born.

More about Backstage Pass
Backstage Pass grew out of the Concerts in the Park series begun in 1986, by Florida First Federal and late community leader, Roger Schadd. From 1986 to 2008, free outdoor concerts were held every summer featuring local bands. In order to keep the series going during the recession, Backstage Pass began welcoming guests through the Backstage Door of the Marina Civic Center in 2009, and the first band was “On Call”, led by the late Hulon Crayton. Tickets were $5 (and they still are) and the community embraced it from the first downbeat. We are so grateful to continue this wonderful tradition.

Tackle difficult exposures and those photos you just can’t get quite right. We will learn how to use channels, layer masks, blend modes, selective sharpening, selections by color or object, and eliminate color cast along with some tomfoolery with each of the above. In class you will work along with the instructor, and then practice on your own images.

You will want to have a working knowledge of Photoshop basics and be familiar with the layout and menu bars. It is best to work with RAW files. (You may use JPEG files, but your results may differ from those working in RAW.)

Requirements for class: A laptop with at least Photoshop 7 or later version.

Sign your children up (ages 7-14) for Summer Art Camp before it fills up! Children will enjoy two art lessons each day with a snack and movement break in between. Includes drawing, painting, pottery, cartooning, and more! https://www.pccenterforthearts.com/education

Panama City Center for the Arts is holding a summer art camp for six weeks this summer! Three weeks in June starting on June 10, and three weeks in July starting on July 8.

Sign up for one or all of the weeks. Whatever fits into your schedule. Use our online form or call us at 850-640-3670 to sign up.

• June 10 - 14
• June 17 - 21
• June 24 - 28
• July 8 - 12
• July 15 - 19
• July 22 - 26

We will be offering two photography camps during Bay District Schools Summer holidays:

June 11 - 14, afternoons 1-4pm ~ Ages 8 - 12

July 16 - 19, afternoons 1 - 4pm~ Ages 13 - 18

Kids will learn the most important features of their digital cameras, practice photographing a variety of subjects, work with Photoshop to enhance their images, and take home a small portfolio of prints. They will also have the opportunity to experiment with 35mm film, instant cameras, and other "analog" processes!

*Digital camera required. Any type is fine, even a phone will do in a pinch. Please contact us with questions. We have several cameras available to loan out at no extra cost.

Backstage Pass is coming back on April 26, for a five concert series!

We don’t have a stage, but we do have a great parking lot at the Center for the Arts, so this year, we’re going to rename our series Backstage Pass @ The Music Lot.

We’ll have everyone’s favorite things about the event—drinking, tables, live music, and fun!

The concerts will begin at 6:30pm, and the Center for the Arts parking lot will open at 5:30pm.

This year’s line-up is:
April 26 – Andrew Tinch Jazz Group
May 17 – Jeff Carter Group
May 31 – The Jam Kings
June 14 – Anthony Peebles
June 28 – Reasonable Doubt

Tickets are $5. Tables are available for purchase at $50. Find more information on the Panama City Center for the Arts website at www.pccenterforthearts.com/backstage-pass.

Rain decisions will be made by 4:30 PM on the day of the concert and reschedule dates will be determined and announced should they be necessary.

The concerts are made possible by the following organizations: Innovations Federal Credit Union, Hancock-Whitney Bank, Island Junkies, Southern Supply and Downtown Dance.More About Anthony Peebles
Singer/songwriter Anthony Peebles finds inspiration in his life and imagination—from family members to magical places he’s traveled or read about. His first instrument was a dulcimer his father built. Then came drums at age 13, and guitar at 16. Having a career in music has always been his dream, and he’s been making it a reality for the past few years, touring the country and releasing his debut album earlier this year called “Different Faces.”

More about Backstage Pass
Backstage Pass grew out of the Concerts in the Park series begun in 1986, by Florida First Federal and late community leader, Roger Schadd. From 1986 to 2008, free outdoor concerts were held every summer featuring local bands. In order to keep the series going during the recession, Backstage Pass began welcoming guests through the Backstage Door of the Marina Civic Center in 2009, and the first band was “On Call”, led by the late Hulon Crayton. Tickets were $5 (and they still are) and the community embraced it from the first downbeat. We are so grateful to continue this wonderful tradition.

Start from scratch and become familiar with your camera’s most important features, and how they translate into the photograph. This course covers ISO, aperture & shutter speed, metering for light, focus, focal length and more. Lessons include hands-on and outdoor practice (weather permitting). The goal is to trust your choices more than Auto mode! Camera required. *Best for DSLRs, mirrorless or any camera with “Manual” mode but all cameras welcome!

Once you are comfortable with your camera, learn how to tackle the most common photographic challenges: indoor/low light, night shots, portraits, action and adding in external flash. Along with hands on practice in these areas, we’ll strengthen your eye for composition and light. Build on what you know, and step up to the next level.

Backstage Pass is coming back on April 26, for a five concert series!

We don’t have a stage, but we do have a great parking lot at the Center for the Arts, so this year, we’re going to rename our series Backstage Pass @ The Music Lot.

We’ll have everyone’s favorite things about the event—drinking, tables, live music, and fun!

The concerts will begin at 6:30pm, and the Center for the Arts parking lot will open at 5:30pm.

This year’s line-up is:
April 26 – Andrew Tinch Jazz Group
May 17 – Jeff Carter Group
May 31 – The Jam Kings
June 14 – Anthony Peebles
June 28 – Reasonable Doubt

Tickets are $5. Tables are available for purchase at $50. Find more information on the Panama City Center for the Arts website at www.pccenterforthearts.com/backstage-pass.

Rain decisions will be made by 4:30 PM on the day of the concert and reschedule dates will be determined and announced should they be necessary.

The concerts are made possible by the following organizations: Innovations Federal Credit Union, Hancock-Whitney Bank, Island Junkies, Southern Supply and Downtown Dance.

More about Reasonable Doubt
Reasonable Doubt is a 3-Piece Vintage Rock & Roll band performing your favorite songs by rock icons such as Aerosmith, Blue Oyster Cult, David Bowie, Steve Miller, Badfinger, Styx, Rush, Deep Purple, Peter Frampton, Uriah Heep, Joe Walsh, Jethro Tull and others (including originals). The members of Reasonable Doubt are: Chris Boswell: Lead Vocals, Drums & Percussion; Jaime Bunczek: Lead Vocals & Guitars, and Shawn Perry: Lead Vocals, Keyboards, Synthesizers & Bass.

More about Backstage Pass
Backstage Pass grew out of the Concerts in the Park series begun in 1986, by Florida First Federal and late community leader, Roger Schadd. From 1986 to 2008, free outdoor concerts were held every summer featuring local bands. In order to keep the series going during the recession, Backstage Pass began welcoming guests through the Backstage Door of the Marina Civic Center in 2009, and the first band was “On Call”, led by the late Hulon Crayton. Tickets were $5 (and they still are) and the community embraced it from the first downbeat. We are so grateful to continue this wonderful tradition.

Sign your children up (ages 7-14) for Summer Art Camp before it fills up! Children will enjoy two art lessons each day with a snack and movement break in between. Includes drawing, painting, pottery, cartooning, and more! https://www.pccenterforthearts.com/education

Panama City Center for the Arts is holding a summer art camp for six weeks this summer! Three weeks in June starting on June 10, and three weeks in July starting on July 8.

Sign up for one or all of the weeks. Whatever fits into your schedule. Use our online form or call us at 850-640-3670 to sign up.

• June 10 - 14
• June 17 - 21
• June 24 - 28
• July 8 - 12
• July 15 - 19
• July 22 - 26

As a follow up to our Intermediate class, continue to experiment with challenging subjects to expand your skill set. We’ll do an interior/exterior architectural shoot, a portrait shoot with emphasis on lighting and posing, a long exposure landscape shoot, and set up and practice off-camera flash. In the final meeting, bring your most important photos and get feedback and direction from an in-depth critique.

*You do not have to take the Intermediate class before taking the Advanced class, but you will want to be comfortable shooting in manual mode and familiar with flash. Please get in touch if you have questions about which class is the best fit!

Week one will be a demonstration by the artist with Q & A throughout. In weeks two and three, students will paint from a live model for three hours each class with guided instruction. Week four will offer critiques and further instruction. Enjoy the camaraderie painting alongside others who share your passion, learn new skills and grow as an artist!

Student Union East (SUE) 243
CRN: 98038 | Course:  XCE 0328 | Fee: $124

Historic Downtown Panama City is the canvas for the sixth annual international projection art festival, Public Eye Soar. From November 8 and 9, the streets of Panama City come alive with light, sound and art. Featuring live performances, hands-on activities, short films, art and photography from across the globe, Public Eye Soar is a unique opportunity to see art on a whole new scale.  Northwest Florida’s largest outdoor art exhibit spotlights the work of more than 150 artists from across the country as well as from places such as South Africa, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Belgium, and India. Interactive and hands-on activities include a larger-than-life pinball game,  shadow puppets, and perennial favorite – sand art. Enjoy live art demonstrations and musical performances. This event is free for the whole family, handicap accessible, pet friendly and surrounded by ample parking and fantastic restaurants and bars.  Because the festival is held at night on the streets of PC - flashlights and folding chairs are recommended.  The Public Eye Soar mission is to share art of all forms in unexpected places to delight, surprise, educate and inspire our community.