Help Us Move to Webster!
A New Face on a Historic Place
Webster School
Elmer Webster Elementary School was built in 1920 and 1921 in Pontiac, MI. Designed by Perkins, Fellows, & Hamilton, Webster was an unusual building, just one story in height and featuring an innovative combination cafeteria, auditorium, and gymnasium located in the center of the school. The basketball court had a stage at one end, and cafeteria seating to the sides. Webster closed in 2006 as Pontiac lost students, and the building was vacant for 10 years. -source www.detroiturbex.com
Our Friends at Micah6
Most of Pontiac's vacant schools, including Webster were sold in 2015 to a developer. At the time, a neighborhood group had also been looking at buying the property, and after the sale, worked out an agreement with the developer to take over the school. Micah 6 Community plans on converting the school into a small business incubator, garden, historic archive, and play space. Renovation of the school started in the summer of 2016.
-source www.detroiturbex.com
The Community
The hard working people at The Webster Community Center have put together a fabulous collection of local organizations to make this place something for everyone. The Art Experience is excited to be a part of this group providing our services to our community in a more accessible location.
We will be joined by Accent Pontiac (Music Programming), and Pontiac Theatre V (Community Theatre). Our Neighbors in the Webster Community Center will also include The Oakland Livingston Human Services Agency opening seven Head Start classrooms, organized sports like basketball, volleyball and soccer facilitated through Oakland County PAL. Sprout Fresh Food Store will be taking one classroom complete with produce prep space. The Pontiac Community Foundation is creating a curriculum and program for upstart businesses who will be members of the Webster Business Incubator Program. Additionally, two rooms are being set aside with rentable cubicles. Member businesses will also have access to office supplies, conference rooms, the full list of trainings, enrichment and networking opportunities that the incubator comes with. There is MORE information and partners listed at:
https://www.webstercommunity.org
PLUS!
- Webster Food Hub
- Open Gym Time
- Indoor Weekend Farm Market
- Cooking with Kids
- Adult Walking Club
- Healthy Cooking Classes
- Community Gardens
- Outdoor Play Structure
About The Art Experience
Our History
We have been advocating for access to the arts in our community for over 30 years. Our organization was founded by a group of passionate artists who wanted to make a difference in their community.
We've had a few different spaces but never one designed specifically for our own unique needs. We're excited to have the possibility of Sculpture and Ceramics available to our recipients, not to mention quiet and private areas for art therapy. We also look forward to local foot traffic not afforded to us at our current locale.
Your Donation at work
It has always been our mission is to provide a platform for artists to showcase their work and connect with other creatives in the community. We aim to promote diversity, creativity, and collaboration in the arts. With this new location we can offer more for the community in the heart of the community. We love our studio space but we are hidden too well, and we can't move without your help. Your gift makes it possible for our organization to not only offer more services to our community but be within safe walking distance to a greater number of Pontiac residents.