Director of the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis (1940-1951), Dan Defenbacher worked for Federal Art Project from 1935-1939, setting up over 70 community art centers. After his tenure at the Walker, he became director of the Fort Worth Museum of Art and later president of the California College of Arts and Crafts. Dan is credited with coining the term “art center,” and lived in St. Petersburg until his death after moving here at 70 years of age. He was acting president of the Arts Center in the 70s and had a solo show there in 1978.