JAMESTOWN, NY - Empire State Development, KeyBank and The Resource Center Friday announced the opening of the KeyBank Art House at Edgewater, the new home of The Resource Center’s award-winning art program for people with disabilities in Jamestown.
The Art House at Edgewater was developed on property The Resource Center owns on Eighth Street in Jamestown, adjacent to TRC’s Edgewater Day Habilitation Program that opened in 2020.
An existing 1,700-squarefoot structure was renovated to create the Art House at Edgewater. The facility will offer a variety of classes including painting, drawing, mixed media and ceramics. A gallery space will allow those participating in the art classes to showcase their work.
The Art House at Edgewater project cost was $677,199. Major funding for the project came from KeyBank and First Niagara Foundation, which jointly provided $225,000. The ESD provided a $134,440 Regional Council Capital Fund grant to The Resource Center for its project. Additional funding was provided by The Lenna Foundation and Filling the Gap, Inc.
Officials of The Resource Center are grateful for the financial support that made the project possible. It cited the fact that the agency’s employees and board members, plus their family and friends as well as the families of people with disabilities who receive supports from The Resource Center, contributed more than $50,000 to the project.
The project’s architect was LaBella Associates. The lead contractor was Hayes Construction Services.
The Art House at Edgewater is situated on the waterfront of the Chadakoin River on Eighth Street, adjacent to the Riverwalk and across from McCrea Point Park. This location is a favorite destination for waterfront path walkers as well as those using the park for recreation and or for boating and fishing on the lake. The location will also allow indoor/outdoor classes to be held on a patio overlooking the waterfront.
Art has been a hobby and a passion of people with disabilities at The Resource Center since the agency began offering educational classes in 1959. Art has remained an important facet of The Resource Center over the years, and, since 2007, collaborations with area arts organizations and independent artists have broadened the center’s class offerings to encompass painting, mixed media, dance/movement, drama, music and song writing.
The overwhelmingly positive response has resulted in staff additions and growth in class sizes and offerings, including individually tailored classes for people who need carefully structured environments and supports. What began as simple painting projects has grown into ceramics, clay, printmaking, jewelry-making and more.
Until now, The Resource Center’s art program had been based within a state-certified day habilitation program for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and only people enrolled in the day program could participate in art classes. With the establishment of the KeyBank Art House at Edgewater, other people with developmental disabilities and people with behavioral health challenges will be able to take art classes. In addition, The Resource Center looks forward to collaborating with schools and area arts organizations, as well as making art classes available to community members.
