Downtown Highland Township has a new gathering space, which, according to some in the community, is something that is long overdue.
It also has a newly renovated headquarters for the non-profit arts organization Huron Valley Council for the Arts, something that was also in need.
As it turns out, these two developments are one in the same. This week, the Huron Valley Council for the Arts is celebrating its grand re-opening after four months of renovations. And while there are many improvements to point to, it is the addition of a café space that has HVCA executive director Erin Sabo most excited.
"Highland doesn’t have a coffee shop in town. We want to fill that void--a place to come in and hang out. We’re happy to give that," says Sabo.
“We believe that art brings communities together and now we actually have the space to do that.”
The roof has been repaired. New carpeting has been installed and a new paint job performed. The addition of a private rehearsal space freed up the room for the new café, which includes tables, public wifi, and a coffee maker.
The goal is to have the HVCA headquarters become a true community space, one where neighbors come in to read, write, draw, study, have meetings, work on their laptops, and all the other things people do at coffee shops. It also makes it easier to promote HVCA programming, which includes classical and contemporary concert series, arts clubs for kids, and festivals, as well as their mission: To promote the arts.
"We’re trying to break down the barrier for the people that think museums are stuffy places. We want them to know that this is their place," says Sabo.
"It’s not a bad way to have a cup of coffee, surrounded by beautiful things on the wall."
The HVCA is celebrating its grand re-opening with a week’s worth of events, including open houses, hands-on projects for children, and a Saturday, April 28, performance from Scottish troubadour Jim Malcolm.
Huron Valley Council for the Arts is located at 205 W. Livingston Rd. in Highland.
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