Main Line Art Center Re-Opens After Expansion with Welcome Back Bash

After nearly 6 months of construction, Main Line Art Center is ready to welcome back its creative community with an all-ages house party and ribbon cutting celebration on November 9.  From fire spinners outside, to the Members’ Exhibition in the gallery, to elaborate face painting for all ages and artist demos in the studios, the Welcome Back Bash and Ribbon Cutting Celebration will engage every room of the renovated and expanded historic building. 

Sponsored by Lead Partners, W. S. Cumby and Becker & Frondorf, and Champion Partner, James Bradberry Architects, the Welcome Back Bash will begin with an invitation-only VIP Reception from 3:15 - 4:30 pm featuring private building tours and a champagne toast.  At 4:30 pm, the group will rejoin the community outside of the Art Center for the Ribbon Cutting Celebration, featuring fire spinners and live graffiti painting by classically trained artist DISTORT. 

After the ribbon cutting, the doors to Main Line Art Center will officially open to the public. Studio tours will be given at 5 and 6 pm for those eager to get their first look at the brand new Jewelry and Painting Studios, the beautiful new windows infusing the Ceramics Studio with natural light, and the many other improvements throughout the building.  Teaching Artists will be working in many of the studios, demonstrating glass beadmaking, Chinese watercolor and calligraphy, printmaking, and ceramic wheel throwing.  In the Children’s Studio, a Teaching Artist will lead kids through a fun and free craft.  In the new Jewelry Studio, EnA Fine Jewelry will be exhibiting their architectural-inspired jewelry, and will donate a portion of jewelry sales to the Art Center.

Main Line Art Center’s award-winning gallery will come alive with the work of the Center’s talented Members exhibiting in the Annual Members’ Exhibition.  Guests will enjoy festive refreshments and party fare, and music by DJ Jamie as they mingle in the gallery and view the wide range of works including photography, sculpture, paintings, prints, and ceramics.  The Annual Members’ Exhibition will be on display through November 22.  A suggested donation of $10 per person or $20 per family is suggested for the Welcome Back Bash, which includes all activities, entertainment, refreshment and food.  

Construction on Main Line Art Center’s $2 million project began after a groundbreaking ceremony on June 5. During the closure, Main Line Art Center hosted exhibitions of their Professional Artist Members at Ringpfeil Advanced Dermatology in Haverford, Bryn Mawr Hospital, and The Bryn Mawr Trust Company. The Center’s popular Summer Art Camp was held at The Shipley School, and summer and early fall classes for adults and children were held at various community partner locations.  Registrations are now being accepted for Fall Session 2 classes and workshops for all ages, levels, and abilities beginning at the newly renovated and expanded Art Center on November 11.

Main Line Art Center is a welcoming and inclusive creative home where everyone is encouraged to create, experience, and discover the value of art.  Committed to making art more accessible, the Art Center has over 75 years of experience presenting art programs for individuals of all ages and abilities, including a unique series of outreach programs for children and adults with developmental and physical disabilities, at-risk youth, and low income families.  These Accessible Art programs are now in their 50th year, and this longstanding commitment to fostering the inclusion of all people is why organizations around the country look to Main Line Art Center as a resource on accessibility. Throughout the year, Main Line Art Center presents innovative, contemporary art exhibitions in their award-winning gallery, as well as exhibitions that celebrate the community.  Last year over 16,000 people chose Main Line Art Center as their home for creativity.