Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The heart of TFAC’s expansion

 

Tryon Fine Arts Center’s expansion and renovation project is nearing completion. The newly applied masonry and ivory stucco is the final exterior of the new 2500 square foot performing arts space. “This beautiful two story room will be the new home for small concerts, lectures, art education, PacJAM musical rehearsals and performances, and small theater productions,” says Marianne Carruth, TFAC Executive Director. “This building addition is part of the major campus renovation that was started in 2012 with the construction of the Peterson Amphitheater. Since then attendance is up over 200% with over 18,000 people coming through the TFAC doors in 2019.”

John Walters, the project architect says, “The TFAC Board wanted to create a large flexible-use space to not only meet the usage demand, but also encompass the view of the beautiful mountains from TFAC’s unique vantage point on Melrose Avenue.”

Carruth added, “John’s design more than met the criteria of the board, providing a modern and functional place for community gatherings and collaborations. TFAC has a beautiful 315-seat auditorium, but needed a space to accommodate smaller groups of 100 or so for arts experiences. With the addition of the new pavilion we will now have a space that complements our existing facilities and makes TFAC better able to meet the needs of our own programming, our guest performers and our community partners.”

“Project funding has come primarily from individuals in the foothills community. In addition, Polk County Community Foundation awarded TFAC a generous grant that put the capital campaign in a position, without taking on any debt, to begin work last (2019) fall. It is inspiring to see our community come together to fund the arts in such a significant way, says Capital Campaign Chair Tim Brannon.

More information about Tryon Fine Arts Center is available online at www.tryonarts.org or by calling 828-859-8322.

Submitted by Marianne Carruth