Fundraising Activities

Approximately three years age, the City of Myrtle Beach appointed a Cultural Arts Advisory Committee to begin serious consideration of renovating the old Rivoli Theater. The City advanced initial seed funds and the committee raised significant funds from the Carousel Horses on Parade program. Through a visioneering process the public had enthusiastically supported the venture and the Committee recommended that the City charter an independent corporation to proceed with the planning and implementation.

 In 1958, the theater showed the film "This Happy Feeling" starring Debbie Reynolds.

 In 2004, Debbie appeared in Myrtle Beach and gladly autographed a copy of a poster of that movie  with  her best wishes for our success. She has volunteered to return for our Grand Opening               

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The Carousel Horses on Parade arts initiative was the first fundraising event conducted by the group. Fifty full sized unpainted fiberglass horses were purchased and fifty local artists were compensated to decorate them with their own original art. The horses were offered to local businesses for sponsorship for a significant contribution. After participating in the Sun Fun ferstival in June, they were placed for the summer in locations specified by the sponsor. In the fall they were sold at a public auction party.                                                                                                                                                                          

The Carousel Horses project was followed in 2004 with the very successful Masterpiece Party.

Prominent and well known local and state personalities were asked to originate a pastel painting of their own design. They each obtained patrons who pledged a fixed fee for their sponsorship. In October, the artwork was auctioned at a public party.