Raise the Roof fundraising effort started
Work has begun to transform an old Dalton Street building into the new Gilmer Arts Gallery.
The local arts nonprofit purchased the building at 127 Dalton Street, between the Gilmer Arts Playhouse and Dalton State College, in 2020, but COVID “kind of interrupted the forward motion” of the renovation, said Pam Burns, Gilmer Arts executive director, in 2022.
“We’ve (since) been able to pull in an architect and get a project manager,” said Burns then.
Since the renovation work began just a few weeks ago, the 4,000-square foot building, listed on county records as built in 1940, has been gutted, and it now awaits major renovation of the roofline.
“All the interior walls have been removed. It’s just a shell right now except a central wall for support,” said Kerrie Gilbert, of the Gilmer Arts board and fundraising committee.
The building’s roofline will be raised to match that of the playhouse and the Dalton State building, while the floor will also be brought up to remove the need for steps when entering from the Sand Street side of the future gallery space.
“In order to do this extensive interior renovation, the roof has to not only be made sound, but also raised and a new roof put on. We’ll literally be raising the roof, as in replacing it and changing the height,” Gilbert said. “The same architectural renovation of the playhouse will continue along the Sand Street side all the way to Dalton State. It will be an attractive continuation of what the playhouse entrance looks like on that side. We won’t be altering the Dalton Street side because we want to honor the historic preservation of the front side.”
The gallery’s current home at 207 Dalton Street will become an education center and youth art gallery. The current gallery, which also serves as a classroom space and the Gilmer Arts home office, has been “busting at the seams” for some time, said Gilbert.
“That’s a good problem to have, but it is a cramped space, and there’s a lot happening in there,” she added. “Logistically, the (renovated building) will provide for a more safe and appropriate space for showing original artwork, as well as a dedicated space for a year-round youth art gallery, where we can highlight local young people who are aspiring artists and have shows that feature work from different schools.”
Expanding programs for children and teens has been a recent focus area for Gilmer Arts. A drama club based at Clear Creek Middle School is among the youth projects the organization will head during the next school year.
“We try to partner where we can with the schools,” said Gilbert. “Not all students can participate (in school arts programs). They might have after-school jobs or a significant role in their family and can’t stay after school for an extracurricular activity. What we’ve tried to do is make opportunities that those students can take advantage of.”
The new gallery will be the third piece of property on Dalton Street to be used by Gilmer Arts, which, since 1979, has offered a variety of visual, performing and literary arts programs to the local community. The expansion is something the organization’s membership has aspired to for years, noted Gilbert.
“This space is a lot larger than what it looks like from the street. It’s going to answer a lot of the needs that we have and allow us to be more spacious and more accommodating to what the community is asking for,” she added.
A “Raise the Roof” fundraising effort has been started to help to fund the building renovations. Gilmer Arts has received some state grant funding for the project, but additional funds will have to be raised to cover the total cost, which is expected to run $600,000 or more, Gilbert noted. Donations can be made at the website GalleryFund.org, she added.
“We’re trying to get some excitement brewing and to let folks know what we’re doing in the space, why we’re doing it and generate some help in doing it. Everything has to be brought up to code (including) electric and plumbing, and we’ve got a long way to go to reach our goal,” Gilbert said.
Architect Joe Cantwell described what the finished building will look like to the Times-Courier last fall. The gallery will measure approximately 90×40 feet, with an extension toward Dalton State College that will include a gift shop and offices. There will be glass entrances in front and back, as well as a handicapped entrance in back.
“The gallery and playhouse will be continuous together so people can go to the gallery during intermission. We’ll have more space and direct access between the two buildings,” Cantwell said. It’s hoped that the entire renovation can be completed by some time next year, but it all depends on the fundraising effort, cost of the work involved and other factors, Gilbert noted.
After the work at 127 Dalton Street is done, the space at 207 Dalton will undergo some degree of renovation to serve its new purpose.
“The current space has got to have some love given to it, as well, to accomplish what we have planned,” Gilbert said.