NEWBERRY — The City of Newberry will celebrate the grand opening of the new home of the Newberry Arts Center on April 10 at 5:30 p.m., 1716 Main Street, marking an exciting new chapter for the arts in downtown Newberry.
Located in the former Newberry Observer building at the gateway to the city’s historic downtown district, the newly redeveloped space represents a significant investment in the creative future of the community. Constructed in 1958, the building, which once housed a Winn-Dixie grocery store and later The Newberry Observer, is now entering a new life as a vibrant hub for artistic expression.
City of Newberry’s Parks, Recreation and Tourism Director Collin Shealy said the opening reflects both Newberry’s commitment to preservation and its vision for the future.
“What began with a champion and an idea has grown into something truly remarkable,” Shealy said. “The renovation of 1716 Main Street has created a beautiful space for creativity and community and opened the door to even greater opportunities the arts center can offer. While the building itself is incredible, it’s the programs and people inside it that will lay the foundation for generational impact in Newberry.”
The expanded facility provides significantly more room for classes, workshops, performances, exhibitions, and community events. The additional space also allows for improved accessibility and flexibility in programming for all ages.
Marquerite Palmer, Newberry Arts Center’s program director emphasized that the new location strengthens the organization’s mission of inclusivity, creativity, and community connection.
“Learning to be a maker is for everyone – people of all ages, races, genders, backgrounds, and beliefs,” Palmer said. “This new space allows us to expand opportunities for the community to sew, paint, quilt, write, carve, sculpt, design, perform, and create in ways that spark imagination and build meaningful connections. Engaging in the arts feeds our souls, calms our minds and lifts our spirits.”
The arts center plans to partner with local and regional artists to teach classes and showcase their work, further strengthening Newberry’s growing arts ecosystem.
Mayor Foster Senn said the opening signals continued momentum for the city’s cultural growth. “The Newberry Arts Center staff has done an outstanding job supporting the growth of the visual arts in our community,” Senn said. “This new space opens a new chapter for the arts in Newberry and creates even more opportunities for children, families, and seniors to participate. We’re excited to see this building begin a new chapter as a creative space for our community.”
City Manager Jason Taylor highlighted the building’s unique history and how its purpose has continued to evolve over time.
“Initially the building was a grocery store which helped feed our bodies. Then, it became a newspaper, informing us and feeding our minds. Now, it is an arts center that feeds our spirit and our souls,” Taylor said.
The arts center and programming has valued its home in the Old Newberry Hotel over the past 10 years.
While the Newberry Arts Center relocates its primary programming to the new facility, the location at 1200 Main Street will continue to operate the Artisans Shop, which features handcrafted work by local and regional artists available for purchase. The shop is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The Artisans Shop is operated by CREATE Newberry, the nonprofit organization that supports programming at the Newberry Arts Center and provides scholarships so community members can attend classes and camps at free or reduced rates. CREATE Newberry is currently raising funds to help furnish the new arts center and to develop an inviting public plaza featuring sculpture in front of the new facility.
The grand opening celebration on April 10, 2026 will offer the community an opportunity to tour the new space, meet instructors and artists, and learn more about upcoming programs and events.
For more information about classes, programs, and the grand opening, visit https://www.newberryartscenter.com.
Leave a Reply