Louisa Art Center: A Small Building with Big Devotion for the Arts
The much-anticipated Classic Movie Sunday on the Big Screen event scheduled for Feb. 3 which was set to feature the beloved classic musical film Meet Me in St. Louis (1944), starring Judy Garland, Margaret O’Brien, Mary Astor, and Lucille Bremer, was canceled due to the recent snowstorm that impacted Louisa and the surrounding areas. The storm caused widespread disruptions, making travel hazardous and forcing the cancellation of many community gatherings.
Despite the cancellation, the Louisa Art Center was visited to gather information about its various offerings and departments. The Center, serving as a hub for performance, visual, musical, and cultural arts in Louisa, Virginia, provides a wealth of opportunities for residents and visitors to immerse themselves in the arts.
The Louisa Arts Center offers diverse programs designed to inspire appreciation and passion for the arts within the community. Its facilities include the Cooke-Haley Theater, where their Classic Movie Sunday on the Big Screen takes place. The theater has 205 seats, allowing visitors to enjoy the cozy film and share the experience on the big screen. Cooke-Haley Theater also hosts live performances, theatrical productions, and lectures.
Meg Hoover, a Louisa County resident, said, “I have been to a few other performances in their theater. One annual performance is by the Charlottesville Ballet Company. Their performances are designed to appeal to all ages. I saw their performance of The Firebird which was well-choreographed and performed.”
The Center also features the Purcell Art Gallery, which showcases dynamic exhibitions throughout the year, including works by nationally recognized artists, respected art guilds, and local talents. One of the Center’s highlights is its commitment to fostering emerging artists through open shows and a popular Student Art Show held each December in partnership with Louisa County Public Schools. The gallery is open to the public during specified hours, free of charge, and allows visitors to enjoy high-quality art displays at their convenience. The next show is titled Art of Color, which will run from Feb. 27 to Apr. 10.
In addition to art displays and performances, the Center offers a wide array of art classes for individuals of all ages and skill levels. Participants can gather in a bright, well-lit studio to receive guided instruction from professional artists, encouraging creativity and artistic growth. Classes range in price from $45-50 for the Sip and Paint events that are for ages 21+. “I took one of the ‘Paint and Sip’ classes,” Hoover said, “It was fun, and participants got to keep their wine glass and artwork. The instructor led the class and brought out everyone’s creative side. Even if you think you have no talent, you will be surprised at how easy and fun it is.”
There are events for youth with prices based on how many classes are involved for the session that people sign up for. The upcoming youth event, Artist in Bloom, is one class per week, over four weeks. That price is $76 per student. Event prices include the material that you will be using during your visit.
The Center’s mission is to enhance appreciation and inspire passion for the arts within the community. Whether attending a concert, exploring new artworks, participating in classes, or enjoying family-friendly events, residents have many avenues to connect with the arts at Louisa Arts Center. “I think the Louisa Art Center is a valuable resource for the community,” Hoover said when speaking on the impact that the art center has on Louisa County.
Looking ahead, the Center plans to reschedule the showing of Meet Me in St. Louis once the details of renting the film are confirmed. The center hopes to host the community in the Cooke-Haley Theater, where they can enjoy concession items and a cozy film experience on the big screen once weather conditions permit safe travel for all. Upcoming events include Barter Players Present: Alice in Wonderland, Feb. 27 at 2 p.m.; Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Mar. 8 at 2 p.m.; and The Man in Black: A Tribute to Johnny Cash, Mar. 14 at 7:30 p.m. These and many more events and ticket information can be found on their webpage at https://louisaarts.org/.
