The arts center is the culimination of nine months work which transformed a dark, empty building into a modern, brightly-lit facility for displaying artwork, teaching classes and holding workshops.
One board member compared the change to the story of the ugly duckling who turned into a beautiful swan.
The arts center is located in the former People's Drug Store building, which was donated to the arts council. The project began with a pair of $25,000 challenge grants from the City of Union and Union County, which were later matched by a $50,000 donation from The Timken Foundation. More private donations were received, along with a $35,000 grant from the S.C. Arts Commission to help finance the renovations.
Unlimited Construction was the contractor for the project. Workers dropped the ceiling in the front part of the building while adding fluorescent lighting and track lights, smoothed and painted the rough walls and restored the original wood floor. In the back, they built two bathrooms and a kitchen area and built a staircase to the upstairs, which used to house Dr. P.K. Switzer's offices.
On the outside of the building, a brick wall was reinforced using bricks from Buffalo Mill.
As part of the open house, local artists have been asked to submit one piece of work, which will be displayed for the next month. Interested artists are asked to call the arts center at 429-2817. Office hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
Arts council members may renew their memberships during the open house and pick up their complimentary 2008 calendars.
The open house begins at 5:30 p.m., followed at 7 p.m. by the Bluegrass Jam, which is usually held at Arthur State Bank.
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