The Buchanan Center for the Arts has completely renovated the classroom space in their building on Monmouth’s public square.
“Virtually everything you see here is brand new,” said Executive Director Kristyne Gilbert.
The remodeled classroom area includes an upgraded kitchen, cabinets for arts supplies, work spaces for artists and guests, an elevator lift, an automated entry, and a kiln.
The classroom is named the Blum Studio in honor of Harlow and Lila Blum of Monmouth.
Gilbert said the Blums two of the strongest advocates for education and the arts in the region. They have been part of the Buchanan Center since its founding in 1989.
The classroom part of the building got a few updates when the Buchanan Center opened there 35 years ago, but much of it dated back to the Gambles retail store that previously occupied the building.
“It was a throwback – I call it affectionately a throwback to the ‘70s,” Gilbert said. “It served its purpose for us. It was functional, but we needed a lot more to meet the needs of the different programming and arts opportunities that we wanted to put forward in the community.”
The center’s classes are free to those age 18 and younger, and its exhibits are free and open to the public.
The Buchanan Center serves Warren, Henderson, and Mercer counties. Some of the school districts in those counties don’t have an art program, so the center provides that for children.
For districts that do have an art program, Gilbert said the center tries to add to what the art instructors are doing.
Before becoming the Buchanan Center’s executive director 10 years ago, Gilbert was a substitute and part-time teacher through the years. She wanted the center to have its own classroom and a space for meetings, education, rehearsals, and the like.
“I’ve always thought that when I moved here, this community deserved the best,” Gilbert said.
“And that’s what we’ve done for them in providing this space. We’ve really gone out of our way to not only elevate our programming, but now the space that’s provided.”
She said the space includes separate sinks for art projects and food. The kitchen allows the center to host events, which she said is also part of its mission.
This phase of construction cost approximately $170,000, and includes an electrical upgrade throughout the building. That will allow the Buchanan Center to prepare for its next major project: renovations to the building’s second floor.
The plan is to create a second gallery, another classroom, a permanent collection room, and a theater space. There will also be two ADA compliant bathrooms and a three-level elevator.
Fundraising is already underway.
“Whether you give $5, $50, $5,000. I believe everybody plays a role in the success of a community arts center, and everybody will have the opportunity to be a part of this,” Gilbert said.
She said the renovations are part of a continuing commitment by the community to invest in the arts.
Is she surprised to see this commitment to the arts in a small town?
“Folks have asked me that when they come from a larger city. They say, gosh I’m really surprised you have something so nice here,” Gilbert said.
“I’m not surprised. I started out living in a small town, I went to several larger cities, and came back here. One of the things that you can count on is a small town’s ability to survive and thrive.”
The Blum Studio was made possible by support from Blick Art Materials, the Blums, the City of Monmouth, Duane Bonifer and Kristyne Gilbert of Monmouth, Midwest Bank, Monmouth Rotary Club, United Way of Greater Warren County, and an anonymous donor.
Gilbert said the project was also made possible through the work of TL Cook Construction, Advanced Plumbing & Mechanical, Breslin's Floor Covering, C&D Electric, IHC Heating & Cooling, Klingner & Associates, and Flylow Fabrication.
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