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Arts & Entertainment

Dexter Arts Center Board Members Say Future is Uncertain

One year after opening its doors, the Dexter Arts Center is struggling to recruit participants for its monthly programs.

When the opened its doors to the public a little more than a year ago, classes were filling to capacity and support and participation was on the rise. By all indications, the arts center was a succesful endeavor.

Flash forward to 2012 and the center is now struggling to keep its doors open amid a slow economy and dwindling workshop registration numbers.

Pam O'Hara, president of the Dexter Arts Center Board, said the board's decision to keep the center afloat hinges on receiving 501c(3) nonprofit status from the federal government.

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“We are a Michigan nonprofit, however we need the 501c(3) in order to qualify for other grants," O'Hara said. "With this status we are able to except monies from the community and other sources that would be a tax write-off for whoever donates."

The board applied for nonprofit status in June 2011 and is still waiting to hear the status of its application.

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"I have called the IRS to follow up on our status but they are still months
behind processing other applications,” O'Hara explained.

The Dexter Arts Center offers craft classes for kids and teens as well a wide variety of mosaic, pottery and stained glass programs for adults. This year artists also held a summer and winter camp program for children and teens.

“For adults we also offer silk velvet scarf workshops, which is a no-mess dye shop offered by our instructor Lisa Wandres,” O'Hara said.

O'Hara said artists hope to expand class sizes and market programs to high school students in the community.

"One of our biggest challenges (during the past six months) has been getting the word out that we're here," she said. "We are looking to market to teenagers in the community and would love to see more of them in our classes. If we can get a group of people interested in drawing, painting or jewelry making we would definitely be able to offer any of those classes.

"We have heard that Dexter High School only offers two years of art, so this is a great way for interested students to explore art further."

Despite low workshop attendance, which forced the board to cancel this year's annual , O'Hara remains positive about the future of the arts center.

“We have been very successful and are privileged to have such wonderful support. Without having the 501c(3) it really just stops us. If we don’t receive nonprofit status soon we will probably close," she said. "Currently we are maintaining month-to-month."

The arts center is planning a "Dine to Donate" fundraiser at on Feb. 20 and Feb. 21. Aubree's will donate 15 percent of customers' bills to the arts center on Feb. 20-21. Customers must dine at Aubree's from 5-9 p.m. and present a "Dine to Donate" flyer to their server.

For information on upcoming programs at the arts center, visit www.dexterartscenter.org.

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