01/05/2026  – 04/13/2026

10:30 am – 11:30 am
Kids Theater Program in partnership with Patel Conservatory Straz - Ages 5 - 9
Kids Theater Program in partnership with Patel Conservatory Straz - Ages 5 - 9
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 Mondays, Jan. 5 until April 13 from 10:30 – 11:30 am. Limited Space for ages 5 – 9. Free Programming provided by Patel Conservatory. Underwritten by The Straz.

01/05/2026  – 04/13/2026

11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Kids Theater Program in partnership with Patel Conservatory Straz - 2026
Kids Theater Program in partnership with Patel Conservatory Straz - 2026
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 Mondays, Jan. 5 until April 13 from 11:30 – 12:30 pm. Limited Space for ages 11 – 16. Free Programming provided by Patel Conservatory. Underwritten by The Straz.

01/08/2026  – 12/17/2026

9:30 am – 12:00 pm
Open Pottery Studio - A.M. Tuesday - Thursday
Open Pottery Studio - A.M. Tuesday - Thursday
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: 9:30 am – Noon, Adults. 4 session fee, each day is it’s own session. Book January 2026 – December 2026.

01/08/2026  – 05/21/2026

6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Figure Drawing Group
Figure Drawing Group
Firehouse Cultural Center, 101 1st Ave NE, Ruskin FL

New schedule. 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Age 18+, beginning January 8, 2026. Strengthen your skills in our monitored figure drawing session with a variety of timed poses. Bring your chalk, paint, charcoal or pencil, you choose the medium! Model varies by session. Please reserve online or by phone, 813-645-7651. Reservations are Limited. Your $15 cash tuition is due at the door.

01/08/2026  – 12/17/2026

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. 4 session fee, each day is it’s own session. Book from January 2026 – December 2026.

02/23/2026  – 03/30/2026

1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Paint it Your Way: Watercolor Or Acrylic
Paint it Your Way: Watercolor Or Acrylic
Firehouse Cultural Center, 101 1st Ave NE, Ruskin FL

Whether you’re a complete beginner or have some painting experience, this class offers an enriching journey tailored to your pace and interests. Choose the medium that suits you—watercolor or acrylic—and unlock your creative potential. Instructor: Michael Parker. Mondays, Feb 23 – March 30, 2026, Six (6) week class. Time: 1:30 – 3:30 pm.

03/15/2026  – 03/29/2026

1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Studio 55 | Jewelry Sampler | TMA@Firehouse
Studio 55 | Jewelry Sampler | TMA@Firehouse
Firehouse Cultural Center, 101 1st Ave NE, Ruskin FL

Adults 55+ | Beginner-Intermediate Level | Students will create mosaic pendants, transform artwork and photos into necklaces, and learn metal texturing and stamping. Each session will guide you in creating your own unique, wearable pieces of art!
Sundays | 1:00 – 4:00 PM Class Dates | Mar 15– 29 (3 classes).

03/26/2026  – 04/23/2026

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, March 26 – April 23 (5 weeks).

03/26/2026  – 03/27/2026

6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Figure Drawing
Figure Drawing
Firehouse Cultural Center, 101 1st Ave NE, Ruskin FL

Strengthen your skills in our monitored figure drawing session with a variety of timed poses. Bring your chalk, paint, charcoal or pencil, you choose the medium. Model varies by session. Second and Fourth Thursday of the month in 2026, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Age 18+. Begins Thursday, January 8, 2026.

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Adult Clay & Play - A.M. Tuesdays
Tuesday, February 1, 2022 – Saturday, February 26, 2022    
9:30 am – 11:30 am
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 – 11:30am Adults. Book Monthly, Jan 2022 - July 2022.
Adult Clay & Play - A.M. Thursdays
Thursday, February 3, 2022 – Monday, February 28, 2022    
9:30 am – 11:30 am
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. Thursdays: 9:30am – 11:30am Adults. Book Monthly, January 2022 - June 2022.
Adult Clay - A.M. Thursdays
Thursday, February 3, 2022 – Sunday, March 6, 2022    
9:30 am – 11:30 am
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. Thursdays: 9:30am – 11:30am Adults. Book Monthly, January 2024 - December 2024.
Adult Clay & Play - Thursday Evening
Thursday, February 3, 2022 – Monday, February 28, 2022    
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
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. Thursdays: 6:30pm – 8:30pm Adults. Book Monthly, Jan 2022 - July 2022.
Adult Clay & Play - A.M. Fridays
Friday, February 4, 2022 – Tuesday, March 1, 2022    
9:30 am – 11:30 am
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. Fridays: 9:30am – 11:30am Adults. Book Monthly, February 2022 - June 2022.
Nothing's Better Than Chocolate
Saturday, February 5, 2022    
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Come & Create at the: Nothing's Better Than Chocolate rubber stamping workshop. Saturday, Feb. 5, 9:00 am – 12:00 am. Please register by Jan. 24!
Zach Bartholomew Band
Saturday, February 5, 2022    
7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Zach Bartholomew is an award-winning jazz pianist, composer, and music educator. His original music and unique arrangements are inspired by the jazz tradition, but also draw heavily from Afro-Cuban rhythms and modern influences.
Adult Clay & Play - A.M. Fridays
Friday, February 11, 2022 – Tuesday, March 8, 2022    
9:30 am – 11:30 am
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. Fridays: 9:30am – 11:30am Adults. Book Monthly, February 2022 - June 2022.
Intro to Metalsmithing
Saturday, February 12, 2022    
10:30 am – 1:30 pm
Come explore the art of metalsmithing. You will saw, file, texture and rivet on silver, copper, and brass. Emphasis will be texturing & riveting metals together, creating your unique jewelry. Various techniques will be demonstrated. You will make a finished piece of jewelry of either a pendant or earrings. All materials supplied. Sat. Feb 12 from 10:30 am – 1:30 pm.
Valerie Gillespie
Saturday, February 12, 2022    
7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Join us for Organic Jazz featuring Valerie Gillespie on reeds and vocals, accompanied by Rick Steuart, Dan Harris and Joe Renda. The advent of the Hammond B3 organ in the mid-20th century created a new genre of jazz. This sound will be brought to you up close and personal at Center Stage at the Firehouse!
Painting with Watercolors
Thursday, February 17, 2022 – Thursday, March 24, 2022    
1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Painting with Watercolors. For students at all levels. Explore: color; brush strokes from flat washes to dancing with your brushes; techniques from wet to scrubbing; and more. Includes Materials. Feb. 17 - Mar. 24, 2022.
Celebrate Black History Month in Food!
Thursday, February 17, 2022    
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
The history of southern food IS the history of African American food. Cook along with Chef Anita and Dr. Vinny and learn how to make a classic Jambalaya. NOTE: Kids are more likely to try new foods when they help prepare recipes. Learn how to create healthy eating habits. Join online Thursday February 17th at 6:00 pm.
Adult Clay & Play - A.M. Fridays
Friday, February 18, 2022 – Tuesday, March 15, 2022    
9:30 am – 11:30 am
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. Fridays: 9:30am – 11:30am Adults. Book Monthly, February 2022 - June 2022.
Comedy Night: G. David Howard
Friday, February 18, 2022    
7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Headliner G. David Howard returns to the Firehouse! Also featuring Bill Ohse!
Adult Clay & Play - A.M. Fridays
Friday, February 25, 2022 – Tuesday, March 22, 2022    
9:30 am – 11:30 am
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. Fridays: 9:30am – 11:30am Adults. Book Monthly, February 2022 - June 2022.
Scotty Wright Jazz Musician
Saturday, February 26, 2022    
7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
A veteran musician for over 30 years, one can hear the entire spectrum of jazz singing in the performance of vocalist Scotty Wright. With a warm, rich-toned voice and relaxed delivery, Scotty possesses a unique sound that is deeply rooted in the jazz tradition. His style features harmonic sophistication, a playful rhythmic approach and insightful phrasing of the lyric. Saturday, February 26 at 7:30 pm.
Adult Clay & Play - A.M. Tuesdays
Tuesday, March 1, 2022 – Tuesday, March 29, 2022    
9:30 am – 11:30 am
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 – 11:30am Adults. Book Monthly, Jan 2022 - July 2022.
Adult Clay & Play - A.M. Thursdays
Thursday, March 3, 2022 – Thursday, March 31, 2022    
9:30 am – 11:30 am
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. Thursdays: 9:30am – 11:30am Adults. Book Monthly, January 2022 - June 2022.
Adult Clay - A.M. Thursdays
Thursday, March 3, 2022 – Sunday, April 3, 2022    
9:30 am – 11:30 am
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. Thursdays: 9:30am – 11:30am Adults. Book Monthly, January 2024 - December 2024.
Adult Clay & Play - Thursday Evening
Thursday, March 3, 2022 – Thursday, March 31, 2022    
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
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. Thursdays: 6:30pm – 8:30pm Adults. Book Monthly, Jan 2022 - July 2022.
Adult Clay & Play - A.M. Fridays
Friday, March 4, 2022 – Tuesday, March 29, 2022    
9:30 am – 11:30 am
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. Fridays: 9:30am – 11:30am Adults. Book Monthly, February 2022 - June 2022.
Intro to Metalsmithing
Saturday, March 5, 2022    
10:30 am – 1:00 pm
Come explore the art of metalsmithing. You will saw, file, texture and rivet on silver, copper, and brass. Emphasis will be texturing & riveting metals together, creating your unique jewelry. Various techniques will be demonstrated. You will make a finished piece of jewelry of either a pendant or earrings. All materials supplied. Saturday, March 5, 10:30 am – 1:00 pm.
James Suggs: Tribute to Louis Armstrong
Saturday, March 5, 2022    
7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
James Suggs March 5, 2022: Tribute to Blues Alley jazz artists.
Events on Tuesday, February 1, 2022
Events on Thursday, February 3, 2022
Events on Friday, February 4, 2022
Events on Saturday, February 5, 2022
Zach Bartholomew Band
5 Feb 22
Ruskin
Events on Friday, February 11, 2022
Events on Saturday, February 12, 2022
Intro to Metalsmithing
12 Feb 22
Ruskin
Valerie Gillespie
12 Feb 22
Ruskin
Events on Thursday, February 17, 2022
Events on Friday, February 18, 2022
Events on Friday, February 25, 2022
Events on Saturday, February 26, 2022
Scotty Wright Jazz Musician
26 Feb 22
Ruskin
Events on Tuesday, March 1, 2022
Events on Thursday, March 3, 2022
Events on Friday, March 4, 2022
Events on Saturday, March 5, 2022