By KATE SNYDER

Contributing writer

The old federal building on the corner of  Fourth and Main is one of the architectural anchors of downtown Danville. It’s stately and beautiful and maybe even a little bit intimidating.

But step inside and you’ll discover so much more than a building. It’s been a busy year at the Community Arts Center.

Here are a few fun facts you may have missed in 2016:

• The Arts Center exhibited 188 professional artists last year, along with 390 student artists.

• 19,855 visitors hailed from 45 Kentucky counties, 31 states, and 6 countries.

• 41 students received need-based class scholarships totaling over $4,000.

• Participants in the Thursday evening ballroom dance classes logged approximately 3,696,000 steps.

• The Arts Center displayed 2,033 pieces of artwork by local, regional, national, and international artists.

• School-based arts outreach programs served 120 students in three districts weekly, helping to support and expand the arts curriculum of local schools.

• A brand-new paint-your-own pottery studio opened in the basement of the building.

• Thanks in part to new themed art camps, the number of summer art campers doubled. The 2017 camp themes will be announced soon so stay tuned.

• A new exterior ramp installed by the City of Danville now makes exhibits and classes fully accessible to individuals in wheelchairs.

• The popular Munchkin & Me art classes were offered free to all low-income families. Coming in 2017, Munchkin & Me classes will be free for all families. These classes are geared to children ages 18 months to 4 years with an adult caregiver and meet on Mondays at 10 a.m.

• The Arts Center’s newly-designed field trip curriculum is fully inclusive for students with special needs. In 2017, the Arts Center hopes to welcome every student with disabilities in the Danville and Boyle County Schools — along with the students of the Kentucky School for the Deaf — on free arts field trips.

The Arts Center’s mission is to create transformative arts opportunities for every member of the community. New classes begin Jan. 23, available for all ages.

ON EXHIBIT

New Year New Art, Wednesday.; suggested donation of $5, open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Opening reception 5:30 p.m. Jan. 13

2017 Classes now enrolling

Need-based scholarships are available for all classes. Call Maggie Shapiro Haskett at (859) 236-4054 or email education@communityartscenter.net to apply. Online registration for all classes at www.communityartscenter.net

• Mini Masters (K-3rd)

4-5 p.m. Mondays, Jan. 23-March 6, $80.  Students will discover a new famous artist every week and create artwork inspired by the masters.

• Comics and Cartoons (4th-8th)

4-5:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Jan. 24-March 7, $80. Class is appropriate for any level of experience.

• Mudslingers (K-8th)

10 a.m.-noon Saturdays, Jan. 28-March 11, $125/$200.  A new pottery class that kids and their grownups can take together! Sign your child up alone—or join them in the fun.

• ActUp! Children’s Theater Workshop (K-8th)

10 a.m.-noon Saturdays, Jan. 28-May 6. In this 14-week class, students learn the basics of theater and have the chance to perform in a final production.

• Intro to Clay (Teens and Adults)

7-9 p.m. Tuesdays, Jan. 24-March 7, $145. Students will learn the fundamentals of creating with clay, including hand-building, wheel-throwing, and slip-casting using molds. No experience is required – perfect for beginners.

• Printmaking 101

7-9 p.m. Wednesdays, Jan. 25-March 8, $105.This beginner-level class introduces students to the basics of printmaking, including image selection, block preparation and carving, and image transfer techniques. No drawing experience is required.

• Ballroom Dance

6-7 p.m. Thursdays for beginner classes, $10/door. No partner required.

• Wheel-Thrown Pottery

2-4 p.m. Sundays, Jan. 29-March 12, $145. Students will learn the basics of creating bowls, vases, mugs and more using an electric potter’s wheel. The class is limited to 8 potters, providing lots of one-on-one guidance from the instructor.

• Ceramic Sculpture

7-9 p.m. Thursdays, Jan. 26-March 9, $145. In this beginner class, students will explore sculpting with clay, creating both representational and abstract pieces.

• Starry Night Studios

Woodland Fox, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Jan. 10, $35. Electric Zebra, 2-4 p.m. Jan. 15, $28. Learn to paint a whimsical winter fox in this guided painting class. Our instructor will provide step-by-step instructions.

• Paint-Your-Own Pottery

noon-5 p.m. Saturdays, beginning Jan, 14. Unleash your inner artist in the paint-your-own pottery studio. Drop in anytime during hours, pick a piece of pottery, and make it yours. Starting in 2017, there’s no studio fee. The only cost to you is the price of your pottery, with pieces starting at just $7.