The Muses purchase First Church of Christ Scientist as new cultural arts center in Hot Springs

The Muses Creative Artistry Project, a non-profit performing, creativity, and healing arts company with a mission to preserve the classical arts through performance and education, recently purchased the First Church of Christ Scientist as its new cultural arts center. The church, located at 428 Orange Street, was built in 1910 and is listed on the historic register for its classical revival style architecture. With more than 5300 sq. feet, this downtown jewel has been meticulously maintained by its congregation and is according to Muses General Director Deleen Davidson “a viable and manageable facility for The Muses to fulfill our operational, artistic, and educational goals. We are quite thrilled and deeply grateful to all our capital campaign donors whose good will and generous support made this purchase possible!”

The church’s large sanctuary, enhanced by beautiful stained glass windows and a large skylight, will be transformed into an elegant performance hall that can seat up to 180 guests. Once the space has been converted, audiences will be able to comfortably enjoy Muses productions such as the annual opera gala, along with various concerts, recitals, choral, and chamber music offerings.

In addition to the performance hall, the center’s office, studio, classroom, and library spaces will house various Muses programs and activities such as “The Muses Art of Living” creativity outreach, private vocal instruction, art classes, life coaching, seminars and workshops, as well as small receptions and private events.

The public grand opening of The Muses Cultural Arts Center will be on Saturday, September 21 when The Muses will present its 2013 opera gala fundraiser, Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro." During the same week, also known as “Opera Week," The Muses performance troupe will tour its opera concert throughout the region, beginning with a performance in Garvan Woodland Gardens on September 15 and ending with the opera gala on September 21.

Once The Muses Creative Artistry Project is firmly established in its cultural arts center, as regional ambassadors of the arts, the members plan to be strong and effective proponents of the community-wide cultural and economic development initiatives for the revitalization of downtown Hot Springs.