It’s hard to believe summer is almost over as we come to the end of 10 weeks of summer camps at the Art Center of the Bluegrass. We have hosted nearly 300 children in 17 camps.

We could not have done this without the support of our Summer Camp Sponsors: Farmers National Bank, LG&E/KU Foundation, Webster Orthodontics, and Danville Pediatric Dentistry. The support of individual donors and tips collected at our in-house Murrini Café allowed us to give more than $3,000 in camp scholarships.

Volunteers have also played an important role in the success of our summer camps. Thanks to Georgie Farmer, Maureen Elwyn, and Ashley Dewey for lending a hand. Another big thanks to our Centre College Bonner Scholars Kade Schooling and Aaron Klein.

Noodle Craft and Elmwood Inn Fine Teas helped make our first-ever Culinary Camp a huge success.

The Art Center has several events and projects going on in August.

Exhibit in Main Street Gallery

Plein Air Artists of Central Kentucky will be exhibiting their work in our Main Street Gallery at 409 West Main Street in Danville, Aug. 1 through Sept. 7. The group of artists are from Central and South Central Kentucky and share a love of painting outside in the open air. A reception will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. on Aug. 8 and is open to the public.

$600K Matching Challenge

A historic preservation project is currently underway at the Art Center. Last year we acquired the decaying 1908 building next door. Art Center supporters matched an anonymous $1 million donation in less than eight months, providing funding to restore the beautiful Victorian building. This nearly doubles our space through adaptive reuse and the building is now home to our Art Studio, Murrini Café, and Fern Curated Gifts.

The expansion has also allowed space to accommodate those visiting the GLASS National Art Museum in the Federal Building, which honors the legacy of Danville glass artist Stephen Rolfe Powell.

We are currently raising funds for Phase III of the restoration project, which includes the third-floor Grand Ballroom. The ballroom will become a regular source of income for the Art Center as we market the space as a unique location for special events, lectures, weddings, and more.

We are also working toward a goal of raising $600,000 by December 31, to match another anonymous donation earmarked for the acquisition of more work by the late glass artist Stephen Rolfe Powell. Powell’s work, featured in our GLASS National Art Museum, has brought more than 12,000 people to the Art Center since opening late last year. This matching challenge will allow us to feature more of his artwork and honor his legacy as a long-time Danville resident and professor at Centre College.

Soul of 2nd Street is Aug. 9 & 10

Join us in downtown Danville for the Soul of 2nd Street Festival on Aug. 10. Sponsored by Danville Boyle County African American Historical Society, this two-day event is from 6-9 p.m. on Aug. 9 and 4-10 p.m. Aug. 10. The Art Center will be in the Family Tent on Saturday, Aug. 10 from 4-8 p.m. making bubble wands and doing Gelli prints.

Donor Appreciation Reception is Aug. 22

Our annual Donor Appreciation Reception will be held on Aug. 22 at the GLASS Museum at 401 West Main Street. Donors who provided funding during the last two fiscal years can expect an invitation in the mail.

Want to join us at next year’s Donor Appreciation Reception? Consider making a gift to Art Center of the Bluegrass, participating in our matching challenge at fundly.com/art-center-of-the-bluegrass-donation-match-challenge-2024, or contributing to our ArtSee campaign at secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/XaAHwGyVwa_F27Wr9f2dwA to complete the restoration of 409 West Main Street.

New members to Board of Directors

Art Center of the Bluegrass welcomes Ashley Dewey and Jim Lockard to our Board of Directors. Thank you to outgoing board members Brian Hutzley, Suzanne Farmer, Milton Reigleman, and Jane Dewey – your service has brought us to where we are today!

As the board changes, so does our Executive Committee. They are Mary Conley, President; Amy Isola, Vice President; Diana Gilley, Secretary; and Mark Spurlin, Treasurer.

Run for the Arts 2024

Art Center of the Bluegrass Constitution 5K Run for the Arts 2024 is Sept. 15 at 5 p.m. in downtown Danville. Lace up your running shoes and get ready to hit the picturesque streets of our historic city for the 46th year of this historic race which began in 1978, and help us raise funds for the Art Center too. Register at givebutter.com/rfta2024.