BUCKHANNON — The renovation of the former Colonial Theatre, now the Colonial Arts Center, continues to move forward with a $5,000 gift from ART26201. The gift will enable the restoration of the theatre’s historic façade panels, which were red, white, and black, in a horizontal Streamline style.
Arts Center’s historic façade panels. / Photo courtesy ART26201
Renovation work continues on the main auditorium, balcony auditorium, entrance, lobby, and basement. Once
complete, regular productions will commence, featuring theatrical pieces, performing arts, and music concerts
that will thrill audiences of all ages. The M.I.B. Gallery in the Colonial Arts Center has been hosting regular art
exhibitions since June 2020 and currently features 20th Century Masters print collection.
Built in 1924, the Colonial Arts Center anchors the northern end of the Traders Alley Arts District, home to
Lascaux Micro-Theater, many outdoor artworks, and Jawbone Park, which features sculpture and is host to
Festival Fridays and other seasonal performing arts. The Colonial Arts Center on Main Street, Traders Alley,
and Jawbone Park collectively form the Traders Alley Arts District, complete with ADA accessible sidewalks,
parking, and amenities.
ART26201 and the City remain grateful to all who have provided financial support to the Colonial Arts Center
rehabilitation project: the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History; Buckhannon Community
Theatre via the Jim Knorr Memorial Lobby campaign; the McMurtrie, Kunzelman and Hinkle families; as well
as numerous members of the Buckhannon community near and far.
ART26201 and the City of Buckhannon are grateful to:
Major Donors
Rebecca Kunzelman
Jim & Jill Hinkle
Joe & Leslie Owen
Karl & Erika Kolenich
Gretchen & Bryson VanNostrand
Minor Donors
Chris & Keith Buchanan
Dave McCauley
First Community Bank
Kristi & Curtis Wilkerson
Scott & Renee Preston
John & Lora Mathias
Shirley Fortney
Marc Walters
