In one week’s time, the ArtsCenter in Carrboro will make its official transition into its new home – cutting the ribbon on a renovated facility that its leadership hopes will launch a wave of creativity and support.
The popular nonprofit recently shared details of its celebration leading up to the grand opening and preparation for the latest chapter in its long, local history.
The current space for the ArtsCenter – on East Main Street, where it has lived for decades – was previously a Piggly Wiggly grocery store. While the nonprofit’s leadership and teachers have helped hundreds of artists work across all mediums at that location, its leadership has been seeking new options for several years. After initially planning to build on land it purchased off Jones Ferry Road, the ArtsCenter pivoted in 2022 and instead bought the building on 2 acres of land off Roberson Street.
Over the last year, executive director Jenny Shultz-Thomas said there’s been much work done on the construction side, renovating the former office space of a UNC center into a state-of-the-art area for all types of art.
But she said the hardest part for some has instead been the emotional side of the move.
“The transition itself is… everyone will [say] with nostalgia, ‘Oh my gosh, but I love this space,’” said Shultz-Thomas during an interview with 97.9 The Hill. “We all do, right? It’s that [sense of]: we’ve loved it really well, but [let’s] create this opportunity to come in and say, ‘This building is not the ArtsCenter. It’s amazing, it’s held us, it’s supported us. But there’s no natural light in the painting studio!’
“Finally,” she continued, “these amazing artists who have given everything for thirty years – painting in the dark – now they have a resource, a facility that matches their level of passion.”
The square footage in the ArtsCenter’s new space is comparable to its current location, according to Shultz-Thomas, but she said it feels bigger based on its more functional design. Long before she joined the nonprofit in 2022, the organization had sought upgrades to its offerings of students, clients, and community members. In its Roberson Street home, the redevelopment has offered a chance to not only tailor rooms to become ceramics, painting, and performance studios, but also allows the chance to provide innovative technology and maker spaces.
A diagram provided by The ArtsCenter in 2022, showing plans for its redevelopment and new layout. (Photo via David Gange Architecture/The ArtsCenter.)
The entrance of the former UNC Service Center of Excellence building at 400 Roberson Street, prior to The ArtsCenter’s redevelopment of the property.
Shultz-Thomas said while the ArtsCenter has operated as almost the “original” maker space for the community, her goal is that community members can use the new location and its offerings to take a leap in their own creativity, entrepreneurship, and abilities.
“There’s some kind of artistic, creative side to each one of us,” she said. “So having the technologies and resources to bring that idea, that creative element into a place where you can actually turn it into material goods, or just practice and play… now, you’ve used your brain, body, hands, or mind to create something. I think that’s the healing component the arts can bring.”
The ArtsCenter executive director added that she believes this is even more important to offer as the community continues to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether it’s working around others, partnering on a project, or having the chance to be in a different space that fosters creativity, she wants the new location to present it all to its patrons.
At its grand opening ceremony on August 26, people will have a chance to tour that new space for the first time. Shultz-Thomas said every 15 minutes, people will be able to walk through and see visual arts performances, demonstrations of the technology available, and much more.
But the old space is not going to be left out of the celebration: the festivities will start at 300 Main Street, with the ArtsCenter and those in attendance leading a procession to the new location with members of Paperhand Puppet Intervention.
“So, if you are downtown in Carrboro and Chapel Hill, come join the parade at noon,” said Shultz-Thomas. “We’ll walk over to the new site at Roberson Street. We’ll have food trucks, we’ll have a tent for those who need extra shade. There will be activities for kids outside, and then there will be a ribbon cutting.”
Shultz-Thomas said while she is excited to open the ArtCenter’s new home for her own team’s operations, she also sees it as a new chapter for the area of town. With the 203 Project being constructed a few blocks away on Greensboro Street, she said she could see a strong connection forming between the two updated resources for residents and visitors.
“Really, we’re showcasing… not the building, but kind of this moment in time that celebrates community-building and this new space in downtown Carrboro. It’s the first phase of unveiling how we can kind of continue to grow this community and bring not only arts education, but also entrepreneurs to see themselves in this part of the story.”
Photo via The ArtsCenter’s Facebook page.
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Where will musical and dramatic performances be located? From the diagram it doesn’t look like there will be an auditorium. Will there be one at the new town office building on Greensboro St.?
HANK LOOK AT NUMBER 10 ON THE DIAGRAM OF THE INTERIOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I saw that, but it looks like a small room–nothing like the size of the current auditorium; more like the smaller flat-floor room at the current building. Am I wrong?