Mission & History

our mission

Art Center of the Bluegrass connects all people to art, culture, and creativity. The Art Center brings 30,000 people through the doors each year for the GLASS National Art Museum, art exhibits, classes, workshops, retail space, café, events, community gatherings, cultural conversations, and ceramics studio. Art Center of the Bluegrass is reimagining what an art center can be.

History of the Art Center

Art Center is in a federal building built in the early 20th century.

The pair of buildings that create the Art Center of the Bluegrass campus have a long history in downtown Danville, Kentucky.

401 W. Main Street was originally constructed in 1909 as the United States Post Office and later became known as the Federal Building. After the Post Office moved in 1961, the building held military recruitment offices and U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Pierce Lively’s law offices.

In the mid-1990s, the building was underutilized and began showing signs of decline. In 2004, a group of dedicated art lovers undertook a $1.4 million renovation to restore the building to its original beauty and added modern amenities. In 2005, the Community Arts Center opened to the public and quickly became an artistic hub.

By 2019, the organization had grown, serving as a creative catalyst for the entire Southern Bluegrass region of Kentucky. Recognizing and embracing the important role that the organization played to the region, the Community Arts Center re-branded as Art Center of the Bluegrass.

The Art Center campus grew in 2023 with the purchase of the building next door at 409 W. Main Street. This expansion allowed for the creation of the GLASS National Art Museum, which is home to the museum collection of internationally recognized artist and longtime Centre College professor Stephen Rolfe Powell.

New windows being installed in the historic building at 409 W. Main Street in Danville, Kentucky

Built by John G. Weisiger sometime between 1901 and 1907, the building originally had two store rooms on the first floor, the second floor was divided into flats, and the third floor was a hall used by the Central Lodge No. 8 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

The city of Danville purchased the building from the Art Center in a show of support for the preservation project. The first floor now includes the Art Studio and Art Lab, Murrini Cafe, and Fern Curated Gifts. The second floor is home to artist studios, a culinary classroom, and a commercial kitchen.

Art Center of the Bluegrass is committed to the adaptive reuse of these historic buildings in downtown Danville, Kentucky. The restoration project is part of the Center’s ArtSee Campaign. Phase I was completed in December 2023. Phase II, which is currently underway, includes the rehabilitation of the historic Odd Fellows Hall Ballroom on the third floor, the construction of an elevator and stairwell, and the creation of a glass-blowing studio. The Art Center is seeking donors to help complete this historic renovation project.

Art Center of the Bluegrass is the region’s leading visual arts center, drawing more than 20,000 visitors annually. Rotating exhibits showcase the talents of local, regional, and national artists while a wide range of educational programs inspire children and adults to explore their artistic potential.

The Art Center is also the epicenter of Danville’s Creative District. The adaptive reuse of these landmarks preserves Danville’s historic downtown, anchoring the community in the arts and contributing to Danville’s growing identity as a destination for cultural tourism.