Wayne County Arts Alliance exceeds goal for new headquarters thanks to community donors
A permanent community hub for artists in Wayne County is now closer than ever to reality, thanks to the generosity of various local donors.
The Wayne County Arts Alliance has announced that generous contributors more than met their need to match a $75,000 grant, enabling the nonprofit group to purchase a building in downtown Honesdale as a community hub for its member artists.
"We at the WCAA are completely blown away by the amazing generosity from the community in Wayne County," Janet Gaglione, WCAA Executive Director, said.
In December, the Alliance announced that the Wayne County Community Foundation had approved the matching grant to purchase the building at 959 Main Street, opposite City Hall. The WCAA had been renting the second floor for art exhibits and had a good working relationship with the owner, Sue Stephan Foster, who had operated the Missing Pieces art gallery and gift shop on the ground floor.
Foster, who was retiring at the end of 2022, offered to sell the WCAA the building at a price lower than current market value, Gaglione said.
To do so, however, the $75,000 match had to be raised by mid-February.
"We had secured pledges from friends and family totaling $40,000 during October and November," Gaglione said. Once the Foundation approved the grant application in early December, the WCAA made their fundraising campaign public.
"Equally amazing was the speed in which we accomplished all this," she said. "We received donations of $75,000-plus in just two months' time and officially closed on the building at 959 Main Street Honesdale on February 15, 2023. Wow!"
From 2022:Wayne County Arts Alliance eyes permanent home in Honesdale
Gaglione said they received more than $10,000 in donations from the Skier Family, Honesdale National Bank, Louis and Frances Gruber, and the Hickory Hill Foundation.
The Alliance received $5,000 donations from the Honesdale Rotary, Sandra and Matt Povse, Cynthia and David Salisbury, Phyllis Chekenian and the Centre Geriatric Care LLC - Xenia Kugler and Denny Shannon in honor of Pauline Glykokokalos and in memory of Yanni Glykokokalos, founding board members of WCAA.
Nineteen others contributed $1,000-plus donations and 15 donors gave $500 or more in donations. Additional donations came from 115 others, Gaglione said. In all over 160 individuals, families and organizations invested in the WCAA's mission to promote the arts.
Gaglione stated that having received additional funds, they are in the process of some interior updates and renovations. The actual official opening is dependent on this work.
"We look forward to welcoming all our generous donors, and the public to our new Wayne County Arts Alliance Home and Gallery, "Gaglione said.
With the purchase they will make use of both floors to showcase local arts. The WCAA board is exploring more ideas as well, to use the facility in support of their mission.
The organization began in 2003 with six local artists and visionaries, who wanted to promote the arts and local arts community. The group has since grown to over 240 members, both artists and art enthusiasts.
For more information about the WCAA, email waynecountyartsalliance@gmail.com or call 570-729-5740. Visit: waynecountyartsalliance.org.
This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Wayne County Arts Alliance to have new home in Honesdale
