Here's the story:
If J.C. Penney hadn't already coined the slogan, "It's All Inside," ARTS could certainly be using it at the Huntington High Renaissance Center.
Arts Resources for the Tri-State, the non-profit umbrella arts group, has step-by-tough-step reinvigorated the old Huntington High School with a little shot of everything arts-related.
Inside at 900 8th St., the historic old school that was built in 1916 and left empty in 1996 when schools consolidated, is a plethora of all things arts - after school enrichment in art, drama, music, photography, Tri-State Youth Orchestra, Renaissance Art Gallery, Sweet Adelines, various theater groups, dance recitals, weddings and receptions, dinner theaters and various other activities.
ARTS marks its first 10 years with a celebration at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 4. The celebration begins in the theater with "A Look Back," a musical retrospective featuring selections from a decade of performances by guest performers Jane Modlin, Ryan Hardiman, Mary Olson, Linda Reynolds, Mark Baker and Chris Bowling and many others.
The evening continues with the Excellence in ARTS award ceremony paying tribute to individuals who have helped ARTS along the way. Those recipients include Randall Reid-Smith, Helga Thorn, Ron Caviani, Myra and Jim McVey, Margaret Mary Layne, Janice Chandler Gold and Fern Christian. The evening will conclude with a wine and roses reception in the Ball Room, which has been decorated by Sue Ellen Hardman, who decorated for two Governor's Balls.
Performance tickets are $15 and reception tickets are $25. Reservations are requested for the performance and required for the reception. Contact ARTS at 304-733-ARTS.
One of the founding members of ARTS, Rosa Lee Hall, said they knew establishing the myriad of space for performing arts would not be easy, and would not have been possible without so many of the people who are being honored on Saturday.
"I feel these honorees have been major contributors to the arts in our community and have influenced so many people, young and old that it was time to acknowledge them, and felt it is time to do it with grandeur," Hall said. "From the beginning, we knew it was going to be a hard road, but we have come so far with the help of so many in our community and the benefits have been more than we had ever hoped for. This is a milestone for ARTS. The value of ARTS to our community is many fold."
Hall is not kidding when she says many fold.
Just a few of ARTS achievements in 10 years include producing 21 theatrical productions and providing training in dance, dramatic instruction, art expression, music lessons and cotillion/etiquette.
ARTS also hosts and produces musical concerts that have included such world-class homegrown talent as Mark and Beth McVey, Ryan Hardiman, Randall Reid-Smith, Mary Olson, Marina Jurica, Elijah Boyles and Bil Neal.
They have performance and rehearsal space for local groups including Tri-State Youth Orchestra and River Magic Chorus. They organize the annual holiday house tour, provide rental space for artists, as well as in the renovated ball room providing space for community/private events like wedding receptions and reunions.
Last but not least ARTS houses the co-op Renaissance Gallery, which opens watercolorist Ron Haeberle's new exhibit with a free reception 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 5. That exhibit will be up until July 1. The gallery is open noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday.
For the past five or six years, Ashland native Josette Gibson has volunteered with ARTS as a way to give back to the Huntington community where she came to work.
Gibson, who was a volunteer at the historic Paramount Arts Center in Ashland, said it has been amazing to see all of the hard work and energy that has gone into preserving and bringing a new identity to the old school.
"It is a jewel that the community needs to keep," Gibson said of the building, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. "It has taken a whole lot of hard work on the part of the board, and the community has certainly helped. We've opened our doors to so many of the community organizations wanting to come in and use it."
If you go
WHAT: ARTS (Arts Resources for the Tri-State) is hosting a 10th Anniversary Celebration that includes "A Look Back," a musical retrospective featuring selections from a decade of performances.
THE AWARDS: ARTS will also pay tribute to folks who have cultivated arts in the Tri-State.
WHERE: Huntington High Renaissance Center, 900 8th St., Huntington
WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday, June 4
THE RECEPTION: The evening will conclude with a wine and roses reception in the Ball Room.
HOW MUCH: Performance tickets are $15 and reception tickets are $25. Reservations are requested for the performance and required for the reception.
GET TICKETS: Make reservations by calling 304-733-ARTS.
2 comments:
Chuck, thanks for the you and Dave putting the word out. We had an excellent turnout, an amazing party, and a memorable evening because of your kindness. Just wanted you to know how I appreciate you.
Bil, glad to hear it went well - I wish I could have been there! Congrats to all the honorees!
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