Cinco Banderas was founded in 1988 by Jim Kobacher, a local developer who taught at Pensacola State College. He envisioned a permanent collection of local art works from the winning pieces of an annual exhibit in the fall.

Branded as "Cinco Banderas," Spanish for "Five Flags" a nod to Pensacola's colonial past, the collection has grown over the past 35 plus years and reflects the nuances of taste and talent among local artists.

Kobacher wanted an opportunity for local artists to display their work. He completely believed in the local artists of Pensacola. Establishing this collection was his was his way of showing it.