Organized in 1963 by a small group of amateur artists looking for studio space in which to create and exhibit their work, Suntan Art Center found its first home on Corey Avenue, courtesy of Mr Upham. Ten years and five locations later, Suntan found a home at the Don Vista Community Center. Members rehabilitated the space, previously used as a community firehouse, in exchange for nearly free rent.

While the organization was bouncing up and down Gulf Blvd, the Don Vista served a number of masters. Following its early years in support of the larger and more glamorous Don CeSar hotel, the Don Vista became a community center in the mid fifties. It was used by the communities of Don CeSar Place and Belle Vista to house a firetruck donated to the local communities by the Federal government, who had taken ownership of the Don during the second world war years..

Today, still fresh from its most recent renovation, the Don Vista carries distinct signs of its history, the old-world herringbone brick floor and period fireplaces blending with such 21^st century trappings as an elevator and a high tech alarm system. The crisply painted and spacious Mary Nabors room is filled daily with wellness classes, such as different yoga disciplines, zumba and chi gong, as well as, drumming and hula hoop dancing. The meeting room upstairs is full of easels for students of oil and acrylic painting. The downstairs rooms offer space for watercolor and drawing classes as well as fused glass.