When Robin Larsen established New Hope Arts in 2002, it had no brick-and-mortar base of operations. At Tuesday morning’s ribbon cutting at the organization’s newly renovated home on Stockton Avenue, architect and New Hope Arts board member Ralph Fey said he hoped Larsen, who died in 2009, would have been happy with what’s come from its Elevate the Arts capital campaign.
Launched 13 months ago, the campaign set a fundraising goal of $750,000, much of which was earmarked for a multi-phase renovation plan to add an ADA-compliant elevator, an ADA-compliant restroom, a dramatic front entrance, an enhanced lobby, enlarged staircase, and entrance ramps for the rear door.
A year ago, Stephen H. Can and Pamela A. Can, of New Hope, issued a generous $250,000 matching gift challenge that spurred on donations and the state Department of Community and Economic Development provided a grant for the installation of the elevator.
The center has been closed since early this year for the work, which also exposed the building’s original stone walls, hidden beneath layers of plaster.
The morning ribbon-cutting was followed by an evening “Beyond the Blueprint, Grand Reopening Celebration.” A “Members Only Party” is scheduled for Saturday ahead of the official opening on June 15.
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