Dexter Arts Center Board Debates Closing Doors by April

Outlook for the continuation of the (DAC) remains grim, board members announced at a meeting Monday night.

Board Treasurer Lisa Wandres said the center is $260 short of its March rent, with funds expected to completely dry up in April.

"Are we able to survive for the next few months? At the rate we're going, I'd say no," Wandres said.

Board members are eagerly waiting response from the IRS on the status of the center's 501(c)3 nonprofit application, which it submitted in June 2011. Pam O'Hara, acting president, said the board was contacted in February and has until March 12 to respond to several questions from IRS representatives.

“We are a Michigan nonprofit, however we need the 501c(3) in order to qualify for other grants," O'Hara said in a previous interview. "With this status we are able to except monies from the community and other sources that would be a tax write-off for whoever donates."

To help stave off costs, board members held a two-day fundraiser at in February, which Wandres said brought in only $111.25.

"The question now comes down to: Can and will Dexter support the DAC? Do they want to take classes and can we be viable in the community?" Wandres asked.

The Dexter Arts Center offers craft classes for kids and teens as well a wide variety of mosaic, pottery and stained glass programs for adults. This year artists also held a summer and winter camp program for children and teens. The board said events have been plagued with moderate attendance.

"One of our biggest challenges (during the past six months) has been getting the word out that we're here," O'Hara said. "We are looking to market to teenagers in the community and would love to see more of them in our classes."

O'Hara said the board is currently seeking a welding artist who would be commissioned to create a sculpture for the Dexter-based book manufacturing company Thompson-Shore.

"If we can find a facility and a welder who is willing to work with us, the money we would receive from Thompson-Shore would keep us open for a few more months," she said.

The board is also partnering with Dexter Daze festival organizers and is soliciting student and adult artists to design this year's event T-shirt in honor of the festival's 40th anniversary. Interested artists can contact the center at dexterartscenter.org@gmail.com by April 1 for details on the project.

Wandres said if the center closes, she is entertaining the prospect of absorbing the lease in order to offer mosaic classes for current and future clients.

For information on upcoming programs at the arts center, visit www.dexterartscenter.org.