Rotary gets Arts Center update
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Executive Director Dani Cade and Marketing Specialist Rachel Nestor from the Arts Center (Randolph County Community Arts Council) addressed the Rotary Club of Elkins, giving the group an update on the Center's upcoming activities.
The Arts Center was established in 2000 when a group of community members banded together to address a need for an arts center in Randolph County. The group was able to purchase the former St. Brendan's Catholic Church, which was built in 1927 and, after renovation, opened the center in 2001. In addition to the main building, there is a pottery and glass studio located at One Park Street.
The mission of The Arts Center is to enrich our community with inspiring arts programs that foster creativity, learning, and expression for all. "We achieve this mission through various arts programming elements such as tuition-based art classes, exhibitions, performances and events," said Nestor. "At the Arts Center, art is life! It's about youth development, artist development, economic vitality and quality of life in Elkins. We provide a lifelong service to our community through leadership in the arts," added Cade.
A key element of the mission is to ensure that the arts are accessible to all community members. Art education scholarships and free and reduced programs are offered. "Arts are for everyone. We mentor students from youth into adulthood and provide opportunities that build students' confidence and give them a place to shine. Our arts programs connect the community and offer cultural activities to strengthen Elkins' identity as a vibrant town. Our professional gallery offers space for professional and emerging artists to share their work and provide multi-generational engagement," said Cade. "We provide a gathering space for local artists to meet monthly, such as Seneca Trail Artist Guild and Fiddlers Support Group."
The art exhibitions provide visual learning and cultural awareness; they also enhance a participant's own creativity. Workshops provide hands-on instruction from professional artists and musical performances provide auditory learning. "Arts education is the heart of our programming. The last Brown Bag Lunch Concert featured Whistler's Children. The group educated the audience on the instruments and provided historical information on the Renaissance music they performed," added Nestor.
Collaboration is another key component of the center's mission. The center works with both artists and other local organizations. In addition to outreach, artists and organizations approach the center to work together. "We believe we are strongest when we are woven into the civic fabric of Elkins," added Nestor.
The center holds between 12 and 14 annual exhibitions, two of which are juried. Both juried arts exhibitions encompass state and national participation, including local and regional (Pennsylvania, Colorado, New York, New Jersey, Florida) artists and more. The next scheduled exhibition is the Randolph County Student Art Exhibition, held during Youth Art Month, and a solo exhibition featuring members only with Seneca Trail Artists Guild, on display from March 18 through April 18. The student art exhibition welcomes students pre-K through 12th grade from the public, private and home-schooled students. The free opening reception is Wednesday, March 18, from 4:30-6:30 p.m.
The tuition-based art classes held at the center reach between 300-500 local and traveling students per year. "Our After School Art program operates nine months of the year with a local artist providing instruction that supplements the school experience for students K through 5th grade. With no stationary arts education at the elementary level, our After School Art program provides a weekly experience for young children," said Cade. "During the summer, we collaborate with Elkins Parks and Recreation to provide a weekly art class for children in their free summer program."
There are several live musical performances held at the center.
The free Brown Bag concert, sponsored by Davis Trust Company, is held at noon once a month – please check the online calendar for the dates of these concerts. Upcoming performers include Pam Roberts on Friday, March 20, at noon.
An Irish Community Music Fundraiser is scheduled for Friday, March 13 at 6:30, featuring local artists who honor Irish/Scottish music and traditions. This event will feature performers such as Wish Awake, Dave & Cindy Proudfoot, Michelle Luddy and more.
Community support and partnerships are available. Individuals and organizations can sponsor events or programs, sponsor an art student, volunteer or simply attend a reception or event. "Our Annual Juried Arts Exhibition-Artist Call is open to all artists. This is an excellent opportunity for emerging and established artists to share their talents with our community. Our 25th annual fundraiser is Friday, May 29, 2026. Although the details are still in the works, save the date!" said Cade.
"The best way to support the arts is to volunteer with us. Volunteers are the heart of any nonprofit. It's fun and rewarding. It's an opportunity to make friends, meet artists, and it really is a blast," said Nestor. "When you attend a program at the Arts Center, you connect on a deeper level and become part of the local arts movement. Communities don't thrive by accident. They thrive when leaders make a choice to be present, when they decide that young people matter, that downtown matters, and quality of life matters. The Arts Center is one piece of that ecosystem," concluded Cade.
More information about The Arts Center, including opening hours and a full list of events, can be found at The Arts Center's website, www.randolpharts.org or by calling 304-637-2355.
Rotary is a global network of 1.4 million neighbors, friends, leaders and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change -- across the globe, in their communities, and in themselves. Visit www.Rotary.org to learn more about Rotary International, visit the club's Facebook page -- Rotary Club of Elkins -- or contact 2025-2026 club president Phillips Kolsun at phillipskolsun@gmail.com for more information about the Rotary Club of Elkins.