After much anticipation, the Wellsville Creative Arts Center welcomed community members to tour the facility and get a taste of things to come at its grand opening on Sept. 9.

It is hard to tell that the center was slated for demolition just over a year ago.

"I have to save that building," thought founder Andy Glanzman while driving through Wellsville one day. He knew that if the building were demolished there would be a negative effect on the community.

So, he bought the building.

According to Executive Director Marshall Green, the classic 1880 building was renovated from top to bottom and refurbished with cast iron radiators, marble, stained glass windows, floors, cabinets, chandeliers and doors, all salvaged from buildings in the area.

After the long reconstructive effort, the center is finally ready to make a positive impact on the community.

Building the center from the ground up has been an exciting learning experience for Assistant to the Director Delaney Persons.

The mission is clear - to provide community members with top level education and share high quality learning experiences in a safe environment. We want to see the center become a fixture in the community, said Persons.

"The Wellsville Creative Arts Center exists to enhance the quality of life for the people in our community," according to the mission statement on their website.

The center offers a smattering of classes, including ceramics, drawing, painting and cooking. As well as workshops, a coffee house, a live music venue, as well as a banquet hall, are available for special occasions.

Cooking classes will be held in the center's state of the art kitchen. We'll make a social evening out of it, said cooking instructor Dianne chandler. The class will help create the meal together, then sit down to eat together, like a family.

" There's nothing like feeding people," said Chandler.

The drawing and painting room looks out onto Northern Main Street, doused in sunlight.

Painting instructor Rick Minard got involved in the project because he knew the community needed more than just Wal-Mart or K-Mart. but, it's tough to go outside the community to see music and artists, said Minard.

As a huge music fan, Music Events Coordinator Pete Schneider always knew that this was a project he wanted to get involved in. Pulling in acts from Boston, PA, Buffalo and Rochester area is just the beginning.

We want audiences and performers focusing on the music, not on drinking. We want to make the center family friendly, a place where an underage crowd can still have fun and take part, said Glanzman.

The center is a comfortable place that's nearby, a perfect venue for jazz, bluegrass and folk music artists, among others. According to Schneider, the center is just going to keep expanding.

Even in its early stages, the center is puling in artists like Jim Donovan, or Rusted Root. Donovan is set to host an afternoon workshop on ecstatic drumming, dancing and song.

"It's all for the community," said Schneider "It's a dream come true."

Within five years, Green wants to see the art sector moved to an annex, and for the center to become an epicenter for art.

Internships for Alfred University students are available at the center on a limited basis. Those interested should contact Kevin Jacobs at the Career Development Center.

With so much on the horizon, it is clear that good things are in store from the WEllsville Creative Arts Center.

Classes begin on Sept. 25 and registration runs throughout the first week of classes. For more information on workshops, classes and upcoming events, you can visit the website at WellsvilleCreativeArtsCenter.com.