Rendering ‘Sculpting the Future’ of the Cain Center. Design by Nicole Perri Architecture

April 3. The Cain Center’s new redevelopment project—preserving and repurposing two historic houses at Catawba and School Street—has earned plaudits from Preserve Mecklenburg in a new video.

To view the video, click here.

A new ceramics studio and additional office space for the $25 million Cain Center will be ready this fall.

The new facility will offer expanded resources and dedicated spaces for ceramic artists to create and teach, ensuring that the cherished art form can continue to thrive for generations to come.

Preserve Mecklenburg was instrumental in brokering the deal with the long-time property owners, the Cain Center and a private developer who will build townhomes on the rear of the properties with access via School Street.

Quotable

“Ceramics has long held a special place in the hearts of Lake Norman residents, and with the unveiling of this project, Cain Center for the Arts will finally provide ceramics with a permanent home in which to flourish.”

—Cain Center statement

Two of the houses will be renovated, one for additional Cain Center offices and one for the popular ceramics studio. The third, on the corner and in poor condition, was torn down to make way for open space that will function as an eastern gateway to downtown.

Background

The $4.7 million project is a key component of redevelopment in downtown Cornelius—and an expansion for the two-year-old Cain Center.

Private fundraising has already brought in more than $1.5 million; a public fundraising effort will get under way at groundbreaking. The new and bigger facility will allow the Cain Center to offer more classes.