Center for the Arts expands to better serve the community
Bruce Widder, left, served as the architect for the renovation of the Tuscarawas County Center for the Arts. He stands with center director Jeannine Kennedy in the new second-story space.
On July 12 a group of invited guests were the first to see the results of the completion a project at the Tuscarawas County Center for the Arts made possible through Ohio tax dollars coming back to the community through Senate Bill 310, also known as the capital budget bill, secured in April 2016 through the efforts of State Rep. Al Landis and Sen. Jay Hottinger.
The original version of the biennial bill included $500,000 in funding for a proposed culinary and cultural arts center for Tuscarawas County, which traveled an interesting trail before it finally landed at TCCA, according to Economic Development and Finance Alliance executive director Harry Eadon, who worked closely with the county commissioners to develop a business plan for the facility.
TCCA director Jeannine Kennedy said seeing the final stage of a three-phase project come to fruition was a dream come true as it was not expected to happen so quickly.
“When we went to talk to Jeannine about using the funds at the arts center, she was speechless,” Eadon said. “She already had a three-phase project underway.”
Parts one and two included the construction of a stand-alone building for the exclusive use of potters and ceramists along with a stage in the main gallery used for music, dance and theatrical performance.
“When Harry came down to talk to us last year, they had secured the grant, and they were willing to work with us,” Kennedy said. “We could use the funds for the third phase of our feasibility study, and that meant the project was complete.”
The third phase in Kennedy’s plan included improvements to the main first floor gallery, LED lighting and new HVAC system throughout the center, updated restrooms, and the expansion of a second story that would include a resource library, a gallery for the center’s permanent collection and a gallery for artists to rent for their own shows and receptions.
In addition a lift was installed for the benefit of individuals who use a wheelchair and for heavier pieces of art to easily be moved to the second floor without risk of damage or injury from using the stairs. Underutilized space in the rear of the center was converted to open classroom space, and a larger parking lot was added to accommodate more visitors.
Kennedy worked closely with Bruce Widder, the lead architect on the project. “He was wonderful to work with through this whole project,” she said.
Kennedy also complimented the contractors who began work March 24 and completed the project June 30.
“Tuscarawas County is so fortunate to have something like this and be able to showcase the work of not only the visual artists, but for the people who come here to perform on the stage,” Kennedy said.
Kennedy thanked the board, center members, volunteers and everyone who ever had a hand in the center. “This center is here because the community makes it possible,” she said.
The public is invited to see the improved center when they open the 16th annual Midsummer's Night Art Affair, a show that will include 40 artists with ties to Tuscarawas County. The opening reception will be Saturday, July 21 from 7-9 p.m.
This year’s artists include Anudasi, Terry Barnhill, Jasmine Barry, Zackariah Bennes, Jeff Beitzel, Jane Brown, Liyao Chen, Susan Cramer Stein, Anthony Contini, Jennifer Contini Cunningham, Sarah Dugger, Jim Filkorn, Aubrey Gealsha, Charles Graham, Dee Grossman, Fr. Jimmy Hatfield, Jackie Holan, Kiyoe Howald, James Oliver Huff, Chris Kalouche, Bill Koch, Douglas Laubacher, Skip Limbach, Brian Matthews, Ashley McCleery, Nancy McDonald, Jasmine Mills, Steve Muhs, Barbara Palmer, Kathleen Riley, Susan Roth, Bill Schultz, Peggy Sibila, Tim Sidel, Ed Steffek, Ginny Stocker, Jon Stucky, Yan Sun, Kyle Valentini, Christine Walsh-Newton, Don Weisgarber and Hong Yin.
The show will run through Sept. 7. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. Admission to the reception and show are free, but donations are appreciated.
The exhibition is funded in part by Lauren International, the Ohio Arts Council, the Tuscarawas County Community Foundation, Troyer and Associates, and Doris Kimble.
The center is located at 461 Robinson Drive SE in New Philadelphia.