Part of the Essex Corners Arts District tour entailed a walk by the future Upper West Art Center (located at the circle at West Ferry and Richmond). This was a fun stop, as Harvey Garrett updated the crowd on how far along the project had come... and where it presently stands. For those who may not be aware of the Upper West Art Center, it is essentially a neighborhood church that will some day become a cultural epicenter of the neighborhood. Since work has begun, $750,000 has already been allocated to the conversion. Part of the allocation went towards the roof repair.
Once the center opens to the public, it will offer a number of cultural and neighborhood amenities ranging from: three distinctive performance places, an art gallery, room for potential artist (working not living) studios, and common meeting rooms for non-for-profits. Details are... 600 seat, acoustically pristine concert hall, a fully operational 2,300 pipe organ, a 99-seat drama theatre and a myriad of gallery and visual art spaces. A number of cultural art institutions have been contacted (in the past) regarding potential fits and some of those culturals are still waiting for the green light. The green light (C of O) turns out to be additional monetary funds needed for a sprinkler system and bathrooms.
When the Upper West Art Center is eventually fully funded, the neighborhood will have an additional art center right in the middle of the neighborhood where many theatre-goers and artists already live. To learn more about the art center and how you can help make the project a reality, check out the Upper West Art Center's website.