Dance studio turns 30; pushes to meet two-year fundraising goal
By Jim Phillips
Athens NEWS Senior Writer
April 28, 2008
With its annual spring dance concert coming up this Saturday, the Factory Street Studio is also approaching its 30th birthday.
To celebrate, and also help put the dance studio over the top in a two-year fundraising campaign, Factory Street is selling some commemorative items especially designed and created for the occasion.
Now located in a large house on Ohio Avenue, the dance studio is looking to raise $50,000 by the end of this year to help pay for needed renovations on the building.
With $38,000 already collected from various sources including foundation and state grants, individual donors, fundraisers and concert ticket sales.
Factory Street board consultant Ginger Schmalenberg says she’s optimistic the studio will reach its goal.
“I totally think we can do it,” she said Sunday.
Schmalenberg noted that the Ohio Avenue site, which the studio bought for over $200,000 in 2003, has needed various upgrades, including new windows, roof repairs and improvements in an upstairs studio. Next on the to-do list is an overhaul of the heating system and addition of air conditioning, she said.
“Our furnace is failing,” she said. “It will not survive another winter. No way. It’s from the 1950s.”
The big funding push now, Schmalenberg said, is focused on sales of the commemorative items connected to the studio’s 30th birthday.
Factory Street has partnered with area artists – Kelly Lawrence of Green Mantle Studios, Jennifer L’Heureux of Nelsonville Pottery, and woodworkers Ron and Lori Hibbard – to create the items.
One is a ceramic necklace featuring the studio’s 30th Anniversary logo, and a series of five brick trivets, with designs by studio director Elizabeth Atwell and dance student Hanna Miller.
One features the anniversary logo, while the others have dancers in each of the styles taught at Factory Street – modern, ballet, jazz and tap.
Lawrence made the necklaces, while L’Heureux made the trivets, and the Hibbards made the design stamps for the trivets.
Schmalenberg said the necklaces are $10. “They’re so cute,” she said. “Every kid will want one.” The trivets are $20-$25.
Schmalenberg noted that while most of the studio’s fundraising efforts have gone toward its capital campaign, it always makes sure to put money toward scholarships as well, to make sure that students whose families can’t afford full tuition at the studio can still take classes.
“No one’s ever turned away because they can’t afford to dance,” she said.
Saturday’s spring concert will be two performances, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., at Stuart’s Opera House in Nelsonville.
Tickets are available at the studio, Donkey Coffee and Espresso, and Blue Eagle Music.
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