Almost 20 years in the making, the Chesterfield Center for the Arts is one step closer to where it needs to be for the first brick to be laid, and vision of literally hundreds of people to be realized.
Jim Daniels and Courtney Wells, who owned .1985 acres of land adjoining the Arts Center property donated what will now be included in the building, which could be started as early of spring of this year.
In a ceremony last week on the property to be donated to the Arts Center cause, five enthusiastic, supporters stood in the rain and heavy fog for a transfer of the deed from Daniels and Wells to the Economic Development Department of Chesterfield County, which is now overseeing the future facility. The Chesterfield Center for the Arts will still manage programs, and the general operation of the venue.
John Harmon, Chesterfield Real Property Manager, received the deed from Courtney Wells, Realtor®.
“I think this additional land will allow for a great completion of the project,” Harmon said.
Before the donation, the Arts Center was limited to a performing arts auditorium, with seating of about 350, an art gallery in the entrance foyer and what is known as a black box performance space for short, performances or special readings.
With the additional space, the Center can now add classrooms for various other art genres.
Betty Matthews, served as Chairman of the Chesterfield Center for the Arts Foundation since it was formed to raise awareness of the center in 2002. However, her efforts go back to an arguable date as far back as 25 or more years. She spearheaded an effort to put the project on the 2004 bond referendum, which was a approved, but with the caveat of matching funds, which is an entirely different story.
“I am so happy that we are here and all I can see is a beautiful building standing behind me,” Matthews said. Persistence always pays.
Bermuda District Supervisor Dorothy Jaeckle has been an advocate for a number of years and congratulated Ms. Matthews on all her work. “You know, everywhere I go, whatever meeting, event, groundbreaking, Betty is there and talking to people about this project. She has so much energy.”
Daniels and Wells were beside themselves. “This will complete the project that we envisioned in 1996; we went to the performing arts center in Williamsburg and to Florida and other places to get an idea of what could be built here and now we see it coming to fruition,” said Daniels. He said the project grew organically.
The strip of land was not holding up the project. The community had raised a negotiated share of the operational funds for the first year, but still needs to raise money for the second year.
