History of the Ludington Area Center for the Arts

The Ludington Area Arts Council was formed as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in February 2004 with the mission to sponsor, promote, and encourage participation in and appreciation of
arts and culture for those who live in the Ludington area. The following year, the Council hosted its
first events: the Artrain USA Native View: Influence of Modern Culture, an Artrain USA exhibition celebrating Native American artists; and the Carrom Festival, a 100-year retrospective of the Ludington wooden game manufacturer.

In 2004, Ludington Area Arts Council purchased the former United Methodist Church in downtown Ludington, a gothic-style structure built in 1894. Following the construction of a new facility on the outskirts of the city, the congregation was eager to see their former home preserved and put to good use.
A generous donation by a church member launched the Ludington Area Arts Council’s capital campaign to raise funds for purchase of the building. The campaign generated two-thirds of the necessary funds from community members, making the purchase of the building possible.

The 25,000-square-foot structure includes performance and gallery space in the former sanctuary and social hall, a commercial kitchen, and 10 Sunday school classrooms, which are being converted to studios and arts classrooms.

Programming Begins
In 2008, the first exhibition was held at the Ludington Area Center for the Arts,
 “The Lives They Left Behind: Suitcases from a State Mental Hospital,” a national traveling
display intended to raise awareness of the recovery possibilities of persons with mental
health and developmental disabilities. Presented in collaboration with local mental health
agencies, the exhibition drew 700 attendees from throughout the state.

Since then, the Center has hosted a wide range of programming including exhibitions, film screenings, music and dance performances, theatrical productions, courses, lectures, and online photo contests. The Center is also home to open mic nights, book signings, and writers workshops through our partnership with Ludington Visiting Writers, the Center’s in-house literary arts program.

Renovation 
Prior to the purchase of the building, Arts Council members consulted with historic restoration specialists and church representatives to ensure a sensitive and economic renovation procedure. Thanks to many hours of volunteer assistance, individual and in-kind donations, and grant funding,
the structure is being transformed into a functional art center.

Renovations to date include:

• Conversion of the former fellowship hall to a multi-purpose gallery/banquet hall
• Construction of a proscenium stage in the former sanctuary
• Electrical upgrades
• Partial roof replacement
• Masonry reinforcement
• Installation of a gallery hanging system
• Construction of administrative and volunteer offices and gift shop

Future renovations will include the addition of theater lighting and window-darkening shades in the performance hall, installation of an elevator and air conditioning, and construction of a second-floor
gallery/ballroom/performance area.

History of Arts in the Area
The Ludington area has a long history of art appreciation, from the 19^th century when locals filled the opera house on James Street for an evening of Shakespeare or traveling acts such as Nathoo, the Hindu Magician. Countless local theater ensembles have formed over the years, from amateur troupes that performed at the Lyric vaudeville house to the Little Theater group organized in 1956 to the casts of productions of the West Shore Community College Performing Arts Series.

Every Fourth of July, the parade down Ludington Avenue features the musicianship of the Scottville Clown Band, and since 1967, the West Shore Art League has sponsored the annual fine arts and craft fair in City Park. In 2000, the first in a series of sculptures was erected at Ludington Waterfront Park, and three years later, the Ludington Mural Society was formed to bring paintings depicting Ludington’s history to its public spaces.

Writers from throughout the state find in Ludington an inspiring retreat where they may compose their poems and novels – and join their fellow scribblers at seminars and conferences at the Ludington Area Center for the Arts.

The Center brings together many local artists and arts organizations in a supportive community of courses, advocacy, and the chance to showcase their work. Within this nurturing environment, artists are supported in their efforts to join the ranks of locals who have gone on to successful careers in the arts:

• Merrie Amsterberg, Ludington, singer/songwriter
• William M. Anderson, Ludington, founding director, Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries; author, Victory Township
• Manierre Dawson, Riverton, considered to be the first American abstract painter
• Marty Erickson, Scottville, principal tuba player, United States Navy Band
• James Earl Jones, Dublin, actor
• Maynard James Keenan, Scottville, multi-Grammy winner and frontman for rock bands Tool, A Perfect Circle, and Puscifer
• Kenny Simmons, Ludington, actor
• Edgar Struble, Scottville, musician, composer, television and music producer

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