Carver Community Cultural Center gets $500,000 in renovations

SAN ANTONIO – The Carver Community Cultural Center is getting some much-needed upgrades before the start of its 2016-17 performance season.

Known as the Carver for short, the center is owned by the city of San Antonio. However, the nonprofit Carver Development Board does fundraising for the center's education programs.

It's been many years since any improvements were made at the Carver, according to executive director Yonnie Blanchette. Nearly $500,000 in renovations means the Jo Long Theatre is getting new seats, carpet, draperies and more.

Prior to the start of the renovations, the Carver was on a deferred maintenance list with the city. Work began Wednesday and should be wrapped up by mid-October.

"I've seen it evolve over the years and undergo a lot of changes, and these changes are great. It's overdue, I think," said Michael Pleasants, an instructor at the Carver.

Pleasants said he's always felt at home at the center. He first started taking classes at the Carver 18 years ago.

"It's the jewel of the east side. Really, it's one of the best kept secrets. There's so much history here. There's so much going on on Saturday mornings," Pleasants said.

The capoeira instructor teaches the Afro-Brazilian art form that combines dancing, acrobatics and music at the Carver.

"At times, I have even three generations of the same family all practicing together. I have grandsons, dad and his mom, you know, grandma, all in the same class, and it's a really beautiful experience," Pleasants said.

The Carver activities in San Antonio date back to the early 1900s, and it's on the National Register of Historic Places.

This year is the first time the Carver is one of the major locations for the Luminaria Arts Festival. The campus, which includes the Little Carver Civic Center, is hosting a lot of Luminaria's hands-on workshops. Information can be found here.

More information about the Carver, including performances and art education programs, can be found here.