New art gallery, offices will open in June

Jan 10, 2012 at 03:27 pm by Observer-Review


PENN YAN
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New art gallery, offices will open in June

    PENN YAN—The Yates County Arts Center is planning to open the new gallery and offices at the Maxwell Building on Main Street in June.
    Kris Pearson, interim executive director, explained the building turned out to need more structural work than the center had previously thought. She explained the initial plans were to open last summer. Pearson said that when the volunteers went in to do the preliminary preparation, they found “it was not going to work slapping on a coat of paint.” One problem turned out to be a big hole in the building’s back foundation.
    The YCAC is moving from its current location on East Elm Street. The Maxwell Building used to house the Penn Yan village court and before that a bank. Pearson said professional workers are now working on the structural issues, which included adding a second entrance to the building.
    Pearson explained an additional entrance will be added where the ATM used to be at the front of the building. She added the roof in general needs work and the dirt floor basement requires concrete and drywall. Other work includes new windows and repointing the bricks.
    “It’s quite a dynamic project,” she said.
    The first floor of the Maxwell Building will hold the gallery. Pearson explained the workshop and office space will be added to the second floor. She said, “It will reflect the kind of integrity the organization represents.” She added the new location will help attract people. Pearson said a lot of people have commented that they didn’t know about the center until the signs went up at the Maxwell Building.
    To cover the expense of the improvements, the center is holding a campaign. Pearson said of the $85,000 they have raised about half. However, because the work is taking longer than usual Pearson said the campaign was put on hold. She explained the YCAC did not want to be asking for funds when nothing was being done to the building.
    “We’re in the process of bringing the campaign back to life,” said Pearson.
    For more, visit http://www.ycac.org.

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