This month’s opening of Seton Hill Universitys new performing arts center, with two new theaters (one of which will will host some performances by the Westmoreland Symphony), expands Greensburg’s growing downtown arts district. The new center is located near the restored downtown railroad station, and the universitys visual arts center faces another gallery and coffee shop, DV8,and is located two blocks from The Palace Theater, which sponsors a full season of local and touring acts. The well-regarded Westmoreland Museum of American Art is a ten-minute stroll. Other smaller arts businesses, like 28 West Second, are also taking root.
“We already have the foundation for a vibrant cultural district,” says Michael Langer, president of the Westmoreland Cultural Trust. The Trust recently commissioned an economic impact study of the Palace Theater, which it owns, that showed that its performances and special events–141 nights last year–funneled $7 million into the local economy.
Langer served on development team for the Seton Hill theaters. “We plan on reaching out to our performing arts peerslike Greensburg Civic Theaterto create coordinated marketing and ticketing systems, in coordination with Seton Hill,” he says.
Earlier this month, Seton Hill joined forces with local businesses for an inaugural Art Entre Walk to invite students to explore downtown Greensburgs art-related business, including Penelopes, Art Tech, Mustard Seed Gallery , and DV8. The entre element stems from Seton Hills accent on preparing women for entrepreneurial careers.
At DV8, owner Terrie Barill mounts a new art show every other month, hosts original performances of poetry and music, and is starting a film night. Were trying to hook up with people. The art walk is a really great start for that, she says.
Source: Terrie Barill, DV8; Michael Langer, Westmoreland Cultural Trust
Writer: Chris O’Toole
