Page 14 - 2025 Van Buren Chamber Community Profile

QUALITY OF PLACE

Art & History a Focus

In surveys taken around the country,
communities are continually evaluated
by citizens as to how they treat the arts
and how they respect area history. In Van
Buren, art and history go hand-in-hand,
with nods to the city’s rich past reflected in
iconic buildings, classic architecture, and
beautiful murals displayed throughout the
area. Van Buren proudly celebrates both
its heritage and the arts and has a deep
appreciation for the value both add to the
community.
Arts on Main
Arts on Main opened its new facility
in the spring of 2022. The organization
transformed a historic property adjacent
to the legendary King Opera House on
Main Street to meet the region’s growing
need for additional art experiences and to
create an artistic hub for the community.
In its nearly 50 years of existence as
the Center for Art and Education, the
organization proudly served the region, Actors rehearse for a performance at King Opera House. Photo courtesy of Arts on Main.
enriching the community with creative
programming and classes. It has also activities with regularly scheduled evening Members receive 10-20% discounts
helped promote art appreciation through and weekend programs and entertainment on program fees, as well as exclusive
its galleries, showcases, and collections for novices and professionals alike. invitations to private artist studio tours,
throughout town. Young artists can continue partner museums, and cultural sites.
The 17,000 square foot facility their art education through the annual Participants can also choose a program
provides expansive galleries suitable for River Valley Student Art Competition, and access the studio during designated
highlighting regional artists and traveling summer art camps, in-studio art classes, hours to work on their craft at their own
shows. It features workspaces, including a children’s theatre, and homeschool and pace.
pottery studio, culinary kitchen, outdoor afterschool programs. To learn more about Arts On Main,
sculpture garden, and classrooms to host Professional and teaching artists can visit www.artsonmainvb.com or call 479-
children’s art courses and adult workshops. enrich their experiences through the “Have 474-7767.
It also has dedicated business and casual Talents Will Travel,” “Art Spaces In Work King Opera House
meetings spaces, and a second-floor Places,” and “Home Gallery” programs.
veranda. Individuals, families, and groups are Van Buren’s famed King Opera House
Classes and events are offered for encouraged to visit the galleries and (KOH) is a place where art and history
a wide range of age and experience view Arts on Main’s many exhibits. The truly come together. A cornerstone of
levels in visual arts, culinary arts, and exhibitions include a wide range of media, Main Street for more than 130 years, the
beautifully restored theater originally
performing arts. Patrons can browse and subjects and styles—oil, acrylic, watercolor,
opened in 1891, hosting some of the
book appointments or classes using the mixed media, pastel, drawing, landscapes,
organization’s website, which includes fabric art, woodcarving, ceramics, greatest performances of the era. The
a complete list of courses, events, and animals, sculpture, still life, photography, historic building features a grand foyer,
balcony seating, and a large performance
exhibits, as well as costs and necessary portraiture, abstracts, and more.
supplies. A new interactive learning space in hall. King Opera House has undergone
Walking through the picturesque venue, the children’s studio provides fun and numerous changes over the years, but
it is easy for amateur and professional engaging lessons using a myriad of stands today as the site of countless
community theater and music events.
artists to be inspired. Visitors can browse teaching tools and learning activities for
The establishment of Arts on Main and
art or improve their skills by taking part all ages.
in one of the Center’s workshops. The “Art Night Out” provides a decision to move it downtown helped
Center routinely hosts classes presented personalized art experience for guests and prompt the city to assign management
of King Opera House to the art center.
by accomplished local and regional artists. private groups. It is a unique and ideal way
In doing so, leaders aimed to create new
Arts on Main also provides nightlife to celebrate a special occasion.
Continued on page 18
14 Van Buren Chamber 2025 Community Profile vanburenchamber.org