By Coral Gables Gazette staff

Fifteen years after its first reel flickered to life, Coral Gables Art Cinema will turn its own screen outward—toward the community that built it. On Wednesday, October 29 at 6:30 p.m., the theater hosts Lights & Legacy, a gala celebration of its 15th anniversary and the debut of the Don Slesnick Civic Vision Award, honoring the former mayor whose leadership helped create the cultural and civic climate that made such institutions possible.

The evening will unfold as a blend of film, fellowship, and philanthropy: a red-carpet arrival and champagne reception, a formal award presentation by Coral Gables Mayor Vince Lago, dinner and dessert under the stars, live music, a Books & Books after-party, and a silent auction benefitting the cinema’s community programming. Tickets are $200 per guest, with suggested attire in jeweled tones and tropical accents—a nod to the city’s elegance and warmth.

A theater born of civic collaboration

When Coral Gables Art Cinema opened its doors in 2010, it filled a void that had long existed in the city’s cultural life. The venue’s founders envisioned an independent, nonprofit art-house that would show international and American indie films, host educational programs, and serve as a gathering space for conversation about art and society. The effort drew broad support from civic and private partners—among them the City of Coral Gables, the Coral Gables Community Foundation, and the office of then-Mayor Don Slesnick.

Slesnick, who led the city from 2001 to 2011, championed the idea that civic beauty extended beyond architecture. “We’re the City Beautiful,” he often said in speeches, “but beauty must also mean the beauty of ideas.” That conviction helped foster city funding for cultural infrastructure: the museum’s expansion, support for the Coral Gables Festival of the Arts, and the creation of a dedicated cinema space on Aragon Avenue. The theater’s existence today is a visible legacy of that decade-long civic investment.

Honoring a legacy of leadership

At the gala, Mayor Lago will present the first Don Slesnick Civic Vision Award, created to recognize individuals whose leadership combines aesthetic vision with civic service. The award’s purpose is twofold: to honor Slesnick’s influence and to establish a tradition of recognizing those who, like him, see culture as a form of public stewardship.

That mission resonates strongly with the Art Cinema’s own history. Over 15 years, it has evolved from a single-screen art-house into a respected cultural venue with film festivals, panel discussions, and partnerships reaching across South Florida. By aligning an arts milestone with a civic award, the Cinema underscores the belief that culture and governance thrive together—that a city’s artistic vitality is a reflection of its civic conscience.

The evening’s program

Guests will enter along a red carpet lined with step-and-repeat photos and live acoustic music, courtesy of local performers. The champagne reception begins at 6:30 p.m., sponsored by Bacardi, followed by the Spotlight on 15 Years segment at 7:00 p.m. when Mayor Lago takes the stage for the award presentation. At 7:45 p.m., attendees will move to an open-air setting for Dinner and Dessert Under the Stars, with seating arranged for conversation among civic leaders, arts patrons, and longtime volunteers.

A silent auction will run throughout the night via mobile bidding, closing the next day. At 9:00 p.m., the party shifts next door to Books & Books, where a curated playlist and cocktails carry the celebration into the evening. By 9:30 p.m., organizers expect to draw the night to a gentle close—an elegant ending to a full evening of film, food, and friendship.

A milestone for film culture in the City Beautiful

Coral Gables Art Cinema has always been more than a movie house. It is one of the few independent theaters in Florida dedicated to curating international cinema year-round, and it functions as both a classroom and a civic salon. Its “After Hours” series has introduced new audiences to world cinema; its collaborations with the Coral Gables Museum and Miami Film Festival have expanded the city’s cultural footprint beyond its borders.

The theater’s endurance reflects Coral Gables’ deepening commitment to cultural life. The last decade has seen the city broaden its support for arts institutions—from museum exhibitions and public art installations to seasonal festivals. The Cinema stands at the intersection of those efforts, a venue where storytelling and civic identity meet.

The symbolism of lights and legacy

Pairing a cinematic anniversary with a civic award is more than an elegant coincidence—it is a statement about the kind of city Coral Gables aspires to be. “Lights” evoke the shared experience of the screen, the projection of ideas and emotion that unites audiences. “Legacy” speaks to stewardship: how one generation’s vision enables the next to create. Together they frame an ethos of continuity, bridging creative imagination and civic responsibility.

The Art Cinema’s celebration thus becomes a mirror of Coral Gables itself—a city that prizes its Mediterranean heritage yet constantly reinvents its identity through culture. Honoring Don Slesnick in this setting reaffirms that vision: leadership rooted in beauty, community, and imagination.

Looking ahead

As Coral Gables enters its second century, the Cinema’s trajectory offers a small but telling model for how civic institutions can age gracefully—balancing tradition with renewal. The launch of the Slesnick Award ensures that civic vision remains part of that conversation. In future years, the honor may recognize architects, educators, or community advocates whose work continues the pattern of civic creativity that began with Slesnick’s administration.

For guests attending on October 29, the evening will be both retrospective and forward-looking: a toast to fifteen years of film, friendship, and public service—and a promise that in the City Beautiful, art and governance will continue to share the same screen.

Event essentials

• What: Lights & Legacy: Coral Gables Art Cinema’s 15th Anniversary Celebration
• When: Wednesday, October 29 • 6:30 p.m.–9:30 p.m.
• Where: Coral Gables Art Cinema, 260 Aragon Avenue, Coral Gables
• Tickets: $200 per guest • Dress code: jeweled tones and tropical touches
• Highlights: Red carpet • Champagne reception • Award presentation • Dinner under the stars • Books & Books after-party • Silent auction (through Oct. 30)