Staff Report
CHERRY VALLEY — Cherry
Valley Artworks has a new
home.
The organization recently
signed a long-term contract with
the Village of Cherry Valley to occupy
and rehabilitate the former
village hall and Star Theatre.
The building, at 44 Main St.,
has been unoccupied, with the
exception of few rooms used the
American Legion, since the village
moved its offices to the Old
School Community Center.
``This is an incredibly exciting
development for both Artworks
and the village. Our motto is `revitalizing
the community through
the arts’ and I can’t think of a
better way to carry out that mission
that this,’’ Cherry Valley
Artworks Director Jane Sapinsky.
She said that for many years,
the theatre was the center of village
life with movies, live shows,
music, dances and more.
``Everyone I’ve spoken to who
lived here when it was operating
has wonderful memories of the
good times they shared with their
neighbors. We hope to bring that
back with varied programming
that will appeal to all segments
of the community,’’ Sapinsky
said.
The rehabilitation of the building
will be a long-term project
that will move forward as funding
becomes available, she said,
adding that one benefactor
has already donated funds
to upgrade the septic system
and the village has secured
a grant that can be
applied to new doors, windows
and heating system.
The organization wants
it to be an environmentallyfriendly
building and is investigating
the latest technologies.
``We intend to do this the
right way,’’ Sapinsky said.
``We want this to be a topof-
the-line facility that will
attract top people.’’
The building was originally
the Judd Foundry and
was constructed of local
limestone between 1818
and 1820. It is listed on the
National Register of Historic
Places and the theatre,
originally the firehouse,
is listed in the
Register of Historic American
Theatres.
Later in the season, Artworks
will hold an open
house with an opportunity
for community members to
tour the building and the
theatre and learn ways
they can contribute to the
project.
``It is extremely important
for the community to
be involved in this project.
We encourage people to volunteer
their expertise, donate
time, money, help in
any way they can to make
this happen,’’ Sapinsky
said.
