Bristol Borough will become home to a Center for the Arts this spring.
The center, which is an initiative of the Bristol Borough civic group Raising the Bar, has already signed an agreement of sale to purchase the property on Mill Street. The group will then work to convert the building to a space proper for art expression of all types.
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“We’re gratified by the enthusiastic response from the public once word got out. Artists are already contacting us, as volunteers to help get the space ready,” said Raising the Bar President Bill Pezza. “This is going to be a significant cultural asset for Historic Bristol Borough.”
The property which will be located at 308 Mill Street, is the former home of Ballow’s Shoe Store, one of the well-known shoe distributors in the area until the family retired from the business several years ago. The building has sat empty, and according to Pezza is in dire need of repairs.
“We felt the building was a diamond in the rough, and is much larger than people might imagine. The project is both challenging and exciting. We hope citizens will step forward to donate their time and talent to help us transform the building into one we’ll all be proud of.
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The group hopes to install a gallery, artist workspace, a museum shop for the sale of Bristol memorabilia and art, and a small, multipurpose event room.
According to a recent press release, local artists have already stressed interest in the project.
