HOMER — The Center for the Arts of Homer will be putting on some performances in the near future.
“We’ve had a very vibrant, great concert season,” said Ty Marshal, executive director of the arts center. “A lot of great artists have come through, and were excited to see so many audience members coming out. We also had a musical — and of course our classes, workshops and programs, a couple gallery openings. All of the wonderful things the center loves serving the community with.”
The Cortland Standard shut down on March 13, leaving local businesses and organizations without their usual advertising spaces and no local coverage of their events. Marshal said he and the center were glad to hear of the paper’s return.
“We were all kind of aggrieved that the Cortland Standard had closed,” Marshal said. “We believe that a daily newspaper is really the lifeblood of a community. It does everything from letting you know what events are coming, to holding our elected officials accountable, to letting you know about other events and programs that are being offered in the community. So it was a sad day when we heard that it closed, but we’re overjoyed that the Cortland Standard is back.”
Starting Thursday and running through Sunday, the arts center will be showing “Irene,” an original play by Greg Moller.
On May 22, there will be a showing of “Dark Side of the Rainbow,” where “The Wizard of Oz” film will be synched to Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” album, so the music can act as a backdrop. The event is in partnership with Classy Canna, he said.
Marshal said that on May 30 and 31, the arts center will be partnering with Parents Families & Friends of LGBTQ+ People (PFLAG) to kick off pride month with a showing of Jack Carr’s “Everybody’s Favorite Mothers.” The program tells the story of how PFLAG formed. There will be a showing at 7 p.m. May 30 and two showings, one at 2 p.m. and one at 7 p.m., on May 31.
An exhibition of artworks by current artist-in-residence Minna Resnick is also on display now through June 27, Marshal said.
“It’s a portal to feed our souls,” Marshal said of the arts center. “At least, that’s how we like to think about it.”
Marshal said there are also updates on the art center’s ongoing project with the former Calvary Episcopal Church.
“We are currently in the contract process for that grant and finishing up the contract, which we’re working with the state officials to get that completed, and local officials as well,” Marshal said. “Once that’s done, we will have a construction schedule before us.”
“The idea is to kind of utilize it as a community center as well, a community and cultural center,” he added.
It is the oldest church building on the Village Green in Homer. It might take two to three years to be ready for occupancy, he said, but it’s supposed to act as a cornerstone of the community.
The Landmark Society of Homer, Seven Valleys Health Coalition and Cortland Collective Impact Initiatives are also helping support the project, Marshal said. The farmers market will eventually be moved there but, as of now, the arts center is partnered with the Homer Regional Farmers Market to host the market on the center’s front lawn from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturdays starting May 24.
