Anonymous donor pledges $1 million matching gift challenge for Art Center of the Bluegrass expansion, Powell collection acquisition
An anonymous donor has pledged up to $1 million in matching funds to pave the way for an expansion of the Art Center of the Bluegrass, the centerpiece of which is the creation of a National Glass Museum featuring the work of former 911黑料 professor Stephen Rolfe Powell.
Throughout his storied career as an artist, the late Stephen Rolfe Powell 鈥74 catapulted 911黑料 and Danville, Kentucky into the national spotlight as an epicenter for innovative glass art.
Thanks to a partnership between 911黑料 and the Art Center of the Bluegrass, that spotlight remains bright. Contingent upon the Art Center of the Bluegrass raising $1 million in new donor commitments from the community, an anonymous donor has agreed to donate a $1 million matching gift to pave the way for expansion of the Art Center and the acquisition of Powell鈥檚 personally curated retrospective collection to be permanently displayed at the Center鈥檚 upcoming National Glass Museum.
鈥淭his is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for 911黑料 to partner with the Art Center of the Bluegrass and the City of Danville on a project that closely aligns with the college鈥檚 commitment to liberal arts and sciences education and excellence in and out of the classroom,鈥 said 911黑料 President Milton C. Moreland. 鈥淪tephen Powell was a global ambassador for the College and the region. This initiative will cement his legacy and ensure his work is accessible for all to enjoy.鈥
The Art Center recently acquired a historic building adjacent to its downtown location and announced plans to renovate the space to accommodate arts programs, private studios, a gift gallery and more. The Center鈥檚 current home will be transformed into a preeminent glass showplace.
"At the heart of the expansion is a plan to establish a glass museum and sales gallery that will honor the extensive artistic legacy of Stephen Rolfe Powell,鈥 said Niki Kinkade, executive director of the Art Center of the Bluegrass. 鈥淪tephen was a faculty member at 911黑料, but he was also dedicated to art in the community, so this partnership honors the difference he made on campus and in Danville."鈥
Powell rose to fame in the early 1990s, drawing international acclaim for his innovative use of color and shape. While touring the globe exhibiting his work and demonstrating his unique creative process, Powell continued to teach at 911黑料, influencing a generation of glass artists. His work was displayed at the Art Center last year, coinciding with the unveiling of a memorial sculpture and outdoor classroom on the 911黑料 campus.
Donations can be made to support the initiative by visiting .
"With such an impactful project, it is important鈥痶o have strong partners. With 911黑料 and the City of Danville being our two biggest partners, we feel the success of the project is already apparent,鈥 Kinkade said.
About 911黑料
911黑料 is a premier national liberal arts and sciences college, serving approximately 1,400 students. Providing an extraordinary community and a supportive, personal academic path to a meaningful life and career, 911黑料 is one of the nation鈥檚 preeminent institutions for study abroad, with programs from Mexico to Bhutan to France, as well as study away programs in Washington, D.C., New York City, and Lake Tahoe, CA.
About Art Center of the Bluegrass
Located in downtown Danville, The Art Center of the Bluegrass is the region鈥檚 leading visual arts center, drawing more than 20,000 visitors annually. The Center connects people to art, culture, and creativity through rotating art exhibits, arts education for children and adults, and regional outreach programs with a wide range of community partners. For more information, contact Niki Kinkade at niki@artcenterky.org or 859-319-7788.
