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Gainesville Hosting Conference On Improving Florida Art, Culture

Gainesville is playing host this year to the Convening Culture conference in an effort to boost the role of arts in local communities.

The two-day event, which is wrapping up today at the Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, is a way for artists and community leaders to come together to share ideas for increasing art and culture in communities across Florida.

This year’s focus for the conference innovation and entrepreneurship.

“We would like to just showcase that arts are just not about a painting or drawing, [but] that they are tied into businesses and different opportunities that people can be a part of, no matter what it is,” said Christies Fitz-Patrick, Florida's deputy secretary of state.

Today's activities include a keynote presentation, breakout sessions and the induction of Don Felder into Florida’s artist hall of fame. Felder, a member of The Eagles, grew up in Gainesville.

Contact WUFT News by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news @wuft.org