BUCYRUS, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—The Crawford County Art Center is excited to announce the grand opening of its new location at 117 N. Sandusky Avenue in Bucyrus. The recently renovated 2,000-square-foot space, representing an investment of nearly $10,000, was made possible through various grants and private donations. The Crawford County Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, January 17, at 11:00 a.m. The Art Center will be open to the public from January 17 through January 19, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., featuring a complimentary flower-making activity to decorate the new location.
The new Art Center boasts an updated interior with art-friendly floors, lighting, accessible seating, an upgraded kitchen, and a classroom equipped with electrical upgrades to support sewing machines and hot tools. This strategic move, led by the Board of Directors and Executive Director Kaylee Powers, aims to accommodate growth and expand services, including private event rentals, corporate rentals, facilitated art activities, free kids’ classes at the Creation Station, Open Studio sessions every Monday, access to artist tools, a retail gallery with consignment pieces for sale, and a front area for exhibitions.
Kaylee Powers expressed her enthusiasm for the expansion, stating, “The new location is more available and accessible to the community and will look like a true, modern art gallery with more flexible space to allow for unique art pieces like sculptures. The expanded classroom space and kitchen will also enable us to host private events, contributing to our nonprofit’s revenue stream and offerings.”
Founded in 2013, the Crawford County Art Center is guided by a 12-person Board of Directors and managed by two part-time employees, with support from nearly 20 volunteers who lead art activities and classes. The Art Center previously received a grant from the Community Foundation for Crawford County for a digital gallery, including iPads, a digital gallery display, and high-quality printing capabilities. Community members are invited to attend a Preview Reception on Wednesday, January 15, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. For more information and class schedules, visit the center’s website at crawfordcountyartcenter.com.
Bucyrus Mayor Bruce Truka praised the move, saying, “The Crawford County Art Center’s move to a downtown location is a win for the community. Its accessibility will invite more residents and visitors to experience the arts, while also enhancing the vibrancy and cultural appeal of the downtown area. The expansion reflects local support for the arts and creates a destination for creativity and connectivity.”