Salina Art Center celebrates Grand Reopening after community funded renovation
Posted May 23, 2024 12:20 AM
Salina Art Center faculty and board members cheer and clap alongside Salina Area Chamber of Commerce Blue Coat Ambassadors after cutting the ribbon during the grand reopening of the Salina Art Center on Wednesday, May 22, in downtown Salina. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier
By OLIVIA BERGMEIER Lead Reporter - Salina Post
Underneath the freshly painted dome ceiling of the newly-renovated Salina Art Center, surrounded by dozens of Salina residents and visitors, Art Center Executive Director Misty Serene told the crowd she held back tears as the community members poured in through the front door.
"Thank you everybody for being here. This is a wonderful crowd and such a great moment," Serene said. "The art center is something that this community believed in starting all the way back in 1978, and we would not be here today without our members and our community."
Salina Art Center Executive Director Misty Serene thanks the crowd and mentions important project partners like Hutton Construction and local contractors during the grand reopening of the Salina Art Center on Wednesday, May 22, in downtown Salina. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier
Serene said the community donated more than $1 million to the renovation project, entirely relying on local fundraising to complete the remodel.
Salina community members and visitors browse the recently renovated Salina Art Center during the grand reopening of the building on Wednesday, May 22, in downtown Salina. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier
Salina Area Chamber of Commerce Blue Coat Ambassadors, Executive Director Renee Duxler and board members joined in the celebration, touring the new kitchen and updated entrance.
Dresses featured at the Hammers and Heels Gala, alongside pieces from local artists, decorated the walls during the reopening ceremony.
Past Salina Art Center board member Eric Monty poses next to the sign he helped create and painted for the recently renovated building during the grand reopening of the Salina Art Center on Wednesday, May 22, in downtown Salina. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier
Eric Montoy, a past Salina Art Center board member, helped create and then painted the new sign decorating the building's entrance.
Salina Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Renee Duxler welcomes the crowd and stated the importance of having a robust hub for the arts in a community during the grand reopening of the Salina Art Center on Wednesday, May 22, in downtown Salina. Photo by Olivia BergmeierSalina Art Center faculty and board members cut the ribbon alongside Salina Area Chamber of Commerce Blue Coat Ambassadors during the grand reopening of the Salina Art Center on Wednesday, May 22, in downtown Salina. Photo by Olivia Bergmeier
