2024.04.41

Main text from banner: From Pies to Art How an abandoned pie factory became a factory for the arts: In 2000 a group of community residents came together around a vision of reclaiming the city's largest eyesore for an art center. Then in 2004, a State of Michigan "Cool City Catalyst Project" grant and matching private gifts, launched the first phase of the factory's conversion, with additional phases to follow as funds became available - eventually totaling over $2 million The factory's street façade was stripped away to reveal the signature structural steel arches and make way for an environmentally friendly "rain garden." The dock where millions of pies were once loaded onto trucks now serves as a multifunctional lobby/social space for small performances and receptions. Part of the vast freezer was converted to a 410 seat theater, and an exhibition gallery art studio classroom, and performance studio share the remaining freezer space. Mason Street Warehouse brings equity theatre to the SCA stage during the summer, and the SCA's year-round programming features both emerging artists and nationally recognized celebrities. Each summer the SCA's Greenmarket continues the area's tradition of locally produced and available fruits and vegetables. Now seven years later the once derelict factory has emerged as one of the area's most respected non-profit arts and cultural venues. Adaptive re-use of existing structures makes economic and environmental sense and makes smart use of limited village space. Saugatuck Center for the Arts embodies the "Cool City" ideals: it has created new jobs, has itself become a consumer of local goods and services, has attracted thousands of new visitors to Saugatuck's downtown- and has elevated cultural opportunities for residents of Saugatuck and Douglas.

Buildings: LostSDHC Exhibits

Winthers, Sally

[email protected]

07/30/2024

Ashley, Arthur C 1949-

08/12/2024