Aug 08, 2023

Salina Art Center Cinema re-opens to the public after building remodel

Posted Aug 08, 2023 4:15 PM
Salina Art Center Executive Director Misty Serene holds the ceremonial scissors moments before the ribbon is cut and the cinema re-opened to the public. <b>Photos by Ector Diaz/ Salina Area Chamber of Commerce</b>
Salina Art Center Executive Director Misty Serene holds the ceremonial scissors moments before the ribbon is cut and the cinema re-opened to the public. Photos by Ector Diaz/ Salina Area Chamber of Commerce

By NATE KING
Salina Post

The Salina Art Center Cinema held a ribbon-cutting ceremony and announced the re-opening of the cinema on Friday in partnership with the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce.

"Overall the event was a tremendous success," said Salina Art Center Executive Director Misty Serene. "We had over 100 people come in and sit and hang out in our new seats. And ticket sales were fantastic for the entire weekend. We feel very blessed to be in this community."

Salina Art Center Cinema Unveiling.
Salina Art Center Cinema Unveiling.

The weekend schedule consisted of a ribbon-cutting event at 3 p.m. Friday followed by the first film shown in the new space, Wes Anderson's "Asteroid City". 

LISTEN:🎙King in the Community: Misty Serene, Salina Art Center Cinema Update

Saturday's cinema schedule was dominated by films directed by Anderson. Films included another showing of "Asteroid City", "Royal Tenenbaums", and "Rushmore."

Construction on the cinema remodel began in June and consisted of updating its chairs and installing a state-of-the-art digital projector and sound system. 

"With these new updates, we can really become the cinema for the next generation," Serene said. "We show great films we have in the remodel. We have 80 seats, luxury seating  expereince and all of the things that you would expect in a normal theater but in a much smaller more intimate setting."

Serene said films typically shown at the cinema include first-run independent films,  because according to Serene that is the fastest-growing contemporary art film globally.

" I can think of at least three film projects happening right now within a 60-mile radius of Salina," Serene said. "It's really exciting to see people getting out there and making films."

For a list of cinema showtimes click here. 

Keep movies that matter in downtown Salina. You can endow a single seat, multiple seats, or even just a part of a seat to ensure the public always has great places to watch a memorable film. Support our Building Creatively Capital Campaign by sponsoring a cinema seat today!