09/04/2025  – 12/10/2025

10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Kids Theater Program in partnership with Patel Conservatory Straz
Kids Theater Program in partnership with Patel Conservatory Straz
Firehouse Cultural Center, 101 1st Ave NE, Ruskin FL

Firehouse Cultural Center in partnership with Patel Conservatory @Straz Center presents a Kids Theater Program.
This Free program will start Thursday, Sept. 4 through Wednesday, Dec. 10 from 10:30 – 5:00 pm. Schedule follows Hillsborough School Calendar. This program will conclude with “Show Off Production” for all to see. Limited Space for ages 7 – 15. Free Programming provided by Patel Conservatory. Underwritten by The Straz.

11/06/2025  – 12/11/2025

9:30 am – 12:00 pm
Intro to the Pottery Wheel
Intro to the Pottery Wheel
Firehouse Cultural Center, 101 1st Ave NE, Ruskin FL

You’ll discover the joy of working with clay in this hands-on, beginner to intermediate course focused on the fundamentals of wheel throwing. In 5 weeks, you’ll learn how to center clay, pull walls, and shape basic forms like bowls, mugs, and cylinders. We’ll also cover trimming, surface decoration, and glazing techniques so you can finish and fire your own unique pieces. No experience necessary – just bring your curiosity and willingness to get your hands dirty! Includes 25 lbs. of clay, glaze and firing.
Thursdays, 9:30 am until 12:00 pm Nov. 6 – Dec. 11

11/06/2025  – 12/07/2025

9:30 am – 12:00 pm
Open Pottery Studio - A.M. Thursdays
Open Pottery Studio - A.M. Thursdays
Firehouse Cultural Center, 101 1st Ave NE, Ruskin FL

Welcome to our Open Pottery Studio – a supervised, creative space where potters of all skill levels can explore, practice, and perfect their craft. This monitored environment ensures safety and support while offering access to professional-grade tools, wheels, and kilns. Whether you are hand-building, throwing, or glazing, our staff is available during all open studio hours to assist, answer questions, and maintain a safe, respectful studio atmosphere. Must have class experience to attend. Thursdays: 9:30am – Noon. Adults. Book March 2025 – December 2025.

11/06/2025  – 12/07/2025

6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Open Pottery Studio - Thursday Evening
Open Pottery Studio - Thursday Evening
Firehouse Cultural Center, 101 1st Ave NE, Ruskin FL

Welcome to our Open Pottery Studio – a supervised, creative space where potters of all skill levels can explore, practice, and perfect their craft. This monitored environment ensures safety and support while offering access to professional-grade tools, wheels, and kilns. Whether you are hand-building, throwing, or glazing, our staff is available during all open studio hours to assist, answer questions, and maintain a safe, respectful studio atmosphere. Must have class experience to attend. Thursdays: 6:00 – 8:30 pm, Adults. Book from April 2025 – Dec 2025.

12/02/2025  – 12/16/2025

9:30 am – 12:00 pm
Adult Clay - A.M. Tuesdays
Adult Clay - A.M. Tuesdays
Firehouse Cultural Center, 101 1st Ave NE, Ruskin FL

BOOK FOR THE MONTH! Learn the basics of how to form clay through pinching, coil building, and working with slabs. Combine these forming methods together to make some fun shapes! Students should expect to make several pieces using these techniques. With introduction of wheel throwing. Clay, tools, glazing and firing included. Tuesdays: 9:30am – Noon. Adults. Book Monthly, Mar 2025 – Dec 2025.

12/04/2025  – 01/04/2026

9:30 am – 12:00 pm
Open Pottery Studio - A.M. Thursdays
Open Pottery Studio - A.M. Thursdays
Firehouse Cultural Center, 101 1st Ave NE, Ruskin FL

Welcome to our Open Pottery Studio – a supervised, creative space where potters of all skill levels can explore, practice, and perfect their craft. This monitored environment ensures safety and support while offering access to professional-grade tools, wheels, and kilns. Whether you are hand-building, throwing, or glazing, our staff is available during all open studio hours to assist, answer questions, and maintain a safe, respectful studio atmosphere. Must have class experience to attend. Thursdays: 9:30am – Noon. Adults. Book March 2025 – December 2025.

12/04/2025  – 01/04/2026

6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Open Pottery Studio - Thursday Evening
Open Pottery Studio - Thursday Evening
Firehouse Cultural Center, 101 1st Ave NE, Ruskin FL

Welcome to our Open Pottery Studio – a supervised, creative space where potters of all skill levels can explore, practice, and perfect their craft. This monitored environment ensures safety and support while offering access to professional-grade tools, wheels, and kilns. Whether you are hand-building, throwing, or glazing, our staff is available during all open studio hours to assist, answer questions, and maintain a safe, respectful studio atmosphere. Must have class experience to attend. Thursdays: 6:00 – 8:30 pm, Adults. Book from April 2025 – Dec 2025.

12/06/2025

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Beaded Holiday Ornaments Workshop - Dec 6
Beaded Holiday Ornaments Workshop - Dec 6
Firehouse Cultural Center, 101 1st Ave NE, Ruskin FL

You create 3 holiday ornaments – a wirewrapped seaglass starfish, a beaded snowflake and a fun Florida flamingo suncatcher. Your choice of holiday and coastal color options will be provided so you can match to your holiday decor. Includes all tools and supplies. Saturday, December 6 from 1:00 – 3:00 pm.

12/06/2025

7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Valerie Gillespie: Jazz
Valerie Gillespie: Jazz
Firehouse Cultural Center, 101 1st Ave NE, Ruskin FL

Come out to see the Valerie Gillespie Jazz Show! Valerie Gillespie and her ensemble will be playing jazz music from her Holiday Repertoire. Join us live, up close and personal at Center Stage at the Firehouse! Saturday December 6, 2025.

12/06/2025

7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Valerie Gillespie: Jazz
Valerie Gillespie: Jazz
Firehouse Cultural Center, 101 1st Ave NE, Ruskin FL

Come out to see the Valerie Gillespie Jazz Show! Valerie Gillespie and her ensemble will be playing jazz music from her Holiday Repertoire. Join us live, up close and personal at Center Stage at the Firehouse! Saturday December 6, 2025, 7:30 pm.

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Printmaking – Session 1
Wednesday, January 10, 2018    
9:30 am
The beautiful environment of Florida serves as inspiration for this multi-faceted creative course in partnership with the Tampa Museum of Art! Students will participate in an artistic adventure covering a variety of printmaking techniques, and will have the opportunity to visit USF Graphicstudio.
Hydroponic Gardening
Saturday, January 13, 2018    
9:00 am
Explore and experience new ways of healthy eating through hydroponic gardening. Learn about planning and mapping a garden; parts of the plant; organic/non-organic; and how to maintain a hydroponic garden.
Charlie Morris Band
Saturday, January 13, 2018    
7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
The Charlie Morris Band delivers energetic and laid back original tunes that are a blend of Blues, Country & Florida Swamp Music.
Painting – Session 1
Wednesday, January 17, 2018    
6:00 pm
This course explores basic painting techniques, using acrylic media. Topics include; composition, color, color mixing, texture, form and value. We will explore both representational and abstract painting.
Painting with Watercolors – Session 1
Thursday, January 18, 2018    
1:00 pm
Students will learn and explore: color (complementary colors, analogous colors, the chromatic richness of neutrals); brush strokes (from flat and variegated washes to dancing with your brushes); techniques (from wet-into-wet to spattering, pouring, spraying, stenciling, scrubbing).
Girls Night Out - Comedy
Friday, January 19, 2018    
7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Two funny women, each with a unique style: Aniria brings a latin flair and René Bray brings the southern charm. Both have loads of experience in professional comedy.
Plein Air Drawing & Painting
Saturday, January 20, 2018    
9:00 am
Leave the four walls of the classroom behind and experience drawing and painting on the grounds of the Cultural Center, alongside beautiful Marsh Creek. Participants will work with pencil, charcoal, acrylic paints and pastels.
Fiber Arts
Saturday, January 20, 2018    
9:30 am
Learn the mechanics of hand-knitting, Crochet, Macramé and Tie Dye as you design and create hand-made fiber art projects. For the experienced or the novice.
O Som Do Jazz
Saturday, January 20, 2018    
7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
O Som Do Jazz recaptures the spirit of 1960-70s Brazilian Bossa Nova, samba and MPB. O Som Do Jazz has recorded two CDs and is delighted to present authentic bossa nova, samba, MPB & Brazilian regional music.
Community Flea Market and Arts & Crafts Sale
Saturday, February 3, 2018    
8:30 am – 2:30 pm
Clear your garage, closet or storage unit and sell your unwanted treasures. Arts and Craft vendors are welcome. Rent your table or a space for low fee.
Events on Wednesday, January 10, 2018
Printmaking – Session 1
10 Jan 18
Ruskin
Events on Saturday, January 13, 2018
Hydroponic Gardening
13 Jan 18
Ruskin
Charlie Morris Band
13 Jan 18
Ruskin
Events on Wednesday, January 17, 2018
Painting – Session 1
17 Jan 18
Ruskin
Events on Thursday, January 18, 2018
Events on Friday, January 19, 2018
Girls Night Out - Comedy
19 Jan 18
Ruskin
Events on Saturday, January 20, 2018
Plein Air Drawing & Painting
20 Jan 18
Ruskin
Fiber Arts
20 Jan 18
Ruskin
O Som Do Jazz
20 Jan 18
Ruskin
Events on Saturday, February 3, 2018