New Bartlett Arts Center to hold ribbon cutting
The community is invited to three open houses in December as Arts in Bartlett celebrates opening its new Arts Center at 215 S. Main St., in Bartlett's Town Center.
The first is 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, Dec. 5, in cooperation with Bartlett Chamber of Commerce's Tree-Lighting Ceremony in Bartlett Park and open houses throughout Bartlett businesses.
The official ribbon cutting with Village President Kevin Wallace, village and chamber dignitaries and Arts in Bartlett members is at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, followed by music and refreshments.
The third is Thursday, Dec. 11, with tours from 4 to 6 p.m. followed by the annual Holiday Party at the Fire Barn at 6:30 p.m. All are invited to the party; reservations are required. Members are free, $10 for nonmembers. Reserve at art@artsinbartlett.org or (630) 372-4152. Parking is available in the village hall parking lot, in the back lot of Town Center and after 6 p.m., free in Metra spaces.
This new location is the fourth move as Arts in Bartlett has grown steadily through its 12 years of existence. The nonprofit, all-volunteer arts council moved on Oct. 1 to this 2,750-square-foot space, which includes two galleries filled with art, jewelry, ceramics, sculpture and photography from local artists, with a special Holiday Boutique with handmade ornaments and children's shop during December. It also includes an all-purpose/performance space available for rental and special events. Six studios are occupied by Color My World Children's Art Studio with Kathryn Benton offering art lessons for children 3-18, artists Jenny Vogt and Linda Kay, MasterWorks Photography with Windy Brady offering family portraits, and Dorothy Deen's Cello Studio.
"We were fortunate to keep renovation expenses in this former salon to a minimum," said Cecilia Green, center director. "With all volunteer labor, including a volunteer contractor and sign maker Darren Brady."
Funding came from grants, individual and corporate donations and Dine-Around fundraisers. Other donations and discounts came from Sherwin Williams, Home Depot, In & Out Electric and JDN Heating and Air Conditioning in Bartlett, and Lowe's in Bloomingdale, and Lifeline Plumbing in Elgin. Bob Perri of GC Realty & Development LLC represented Arts in Bartlett in lease negotiations.
Fundraising is now underway to finish the renovation, with the community invited to help through ordering through Amazon's charitable website, smile.amazon.com, instead of amazon.com; donating to the 12x12x12 campaign ($12 by the 12th month of the 12th anniversary), buying tickets to the February 13 play, "No Way to Treat a Lady," by Fox Valley Repertory at Pheasant Run by Jan. 23, or becoming a member. Details are at artsinbartlett.org or at the Arts Center.
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