Politics & Government

Village Theatre Gallery: Art Space for All Ages

The Village Theatre Gallery continues to promote civic art in Danville, with public art shows and events, including an art event for kids this Saturday.

You don't have to leave Danville to appreciate great public art, since the Village Theatre opened its art gallery in November.

This month, you can see works from leaders of the Irish stained glass movement at the gallery, in a show that has been touring the country since February 2009, making its last United States stop in Danville.

"It's a rich time for visual arts to be blooming in Danville," said assistant town manager Marcia Somers.

The gallery opened in November 2009 with an exhibit of Charles Shultz "Peanuts" artwork.  The current exhibit, "The Light Fantastic," showing until March 28, is the gallery's second exhibit.

The stained glass works are of varying sizes, and use an array of colors, to depict nature scenes, religious symbolism and more abstract images.

The construction of the one-thousand square-foot Village Theatre art gallery space in 2009, completed the final stage of a Village Theatre renovation project which began in 1993.

Dressing rooms were built in 1993, while rake seating was installed in 2001. Lighting and new offices were added in 2007. The 2009 improvements also included adding restrooms and entrances compatible with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The new outdoor marquee also arrived in 2009.

The marquee often advertises the Village Theatre's second role, as a performance space. Performers include the Role Players Ensemble Theatre and Danville Children's Musical Theatre. The theatre also hosts the Danvile International Children's Film festival in May.

"We wanted to meld the performance and visual arts," said Somers, of adding a gallery space to the theatre. "It just adds to the whole experience of the theatre."

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Somers said the downtown location of the Village Theatre Gallery also brings more customers to local business.

The town has organized a number of activities in the gallery space to help bring more people to the gallery, and teach residents of all ages about the artworks on show. This Saturday, March 6th, from 2 to 4 p.m., there will be a docent lead tour of the gallery and stained glass themed art project perfect for kids ages 3 to 10.

There is no entrance fee to visit the gallery. It is currently funded through a capital project for public art in the town.

The town council approved that funding for the next two to three years, Somers said. When that money runs out, she said the town will consider membership options or donations at the gallery.

Those who work at the gallery are optimistic that residents will be supportive even when the funds run out.

"We've had nothing but positive comments from visitors," said Kate Wesselschmidt, a Danville resident and one of 12 volunteer docents at the Village Theatre Art Gallery. "It's just an asset to the city. It adds to the civic life in Danville."

The "Light Fantastic" exhibit is showing through March 28 at The Village Theatre Art Gallery,  233 Front St., Wednesday-Saturday from 2 pm to 8 pm and Sundays from 11 am to 4 pm. For more information, visit, www.villagetheatreartgallery.com.

Find out what's happening in Danvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.


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