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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 17 J U N E 1 0 , 2 0 2 4 L E W I S T O N / A U B U R N / W E S T E R N M A I N E Since emptying the building, which had been used for storage, renovations have attracted hundreds of volunteers from the local area and from across Maine, who have put in thousands of hours. Work has included lifting the building, replacing the foundation, stripping the flooring and straighten- ing frames. "On volunteer work days, we have maybe 30 people show up," says Sipe. "Most have driven an hour to two hours to make this project happen." By last summer, enough space was ready to host an art show of over 120 known and emerging artists from across Maine. Hotbed for the arts "Norway has always been a really inter- esting hotbed in the arts," says McLean. "ere are artists, writers, poets and there is a big performing arts scene in Norway. So I think it is a natural place for a project like this." e plan is to open sections of the building gradually. e first space that's opened is a dance studio. Recently they received a $100,000 grant from the state to build a coworking space and artist studios; and a $10,000 grant for pro- gramming from the Onion Foundation, a charitable organization in Auburn. e gallery hosted a call for artists that received 463 submissions. e full renovation is estimated to cost $3 million to $6 million as a multi- year project. e nonprofit recently hired Portland architecture, construc- tion and millwork firm Woodhull and tentatively plans to launch a capital campaign later this year. Last year, Sipe introduced the proj- ect to Norway Savings Bank, which donated $5,500 for programming and $10,000 that year for construction, with another $10,000 planned this year. "I really enjoyed meeting them and seeing the passion and enthusiasm with which they are approaching this project," says Dan Walsh, the bank's president and CEO. "at energy is spreading through- out the area as the idea of having a vibrant arts center just off of Main Street gets closer to reality." Making the turn Norway and the region might be a thriving arts community — but it's not always apparent, says Kelli Shedd, events and fundraising coor- dinator at the Norway Opera House and herself trained as a fine artist. Some artists work at home down rural roads. A carpenter by day might be a musician gigging at the local pub in the evening or making albums during spare time. Getting to Main Street requires making a left turn for drivers heading up Route 26 to attractions such as the Mt. Abram ski-and-mountain bike area. Once upon a time, says Berk, drivers didn't take that turn or, if they did, they didn't stop. Now there's a noticeable increase in foot traffic. "It's definitely become much more a destination," says Berk. "We now have five or six places to eat and a variety of shops. Every storefront that's occupiable, is occupied. I always hear from people looking for space on Main Street, so they rent very quickly. We've had very few businesses leave over the last few years." One thing's missing. "We struggle a little bit because we can only be a day destination," says Berk. "We have little in the way of accommo- dations other than Airbnbs." e vision is to keep on keeping on. It's expected the opera house's per- formance space will be a boon draw- ing acts and uses of all stripes, from local to national. e phased renova- tion will begin with work on the roof, trusses and back wall. After that, the board expects to launch a fundraiser to raise around $2 million over the next two years to match the federal funds awarded to Norway Downtown, which will provide interior work, sound sys- tems and stage repairs. at will allow the opera house to accommodate about 140 people and host performances and events, generat- ing revenue while continuing to raise funds for a full interior renovation that's expected to accommodate 500 people. Long time coming e area has been up and coming for a long time, says Shedd. "A decade ago, when I moved here from New Hampshire, downtown Norway was nice, but there were shut- tered windows," she says. "e transfor- mation that Norway Downtown helped create, that the community helped cre- ate, is amazing." at transformation brings people from surrounding communities, too. "People come to Norway to enjoy art, visit our eclectic shops, eat pizza at the community garden, and to hear music out on Longley Square in the summer," Shedd says. "It's just a won- derful small community that expands beyond the immediate area." Laurie Schreiber, Mainebiz senior writer, can be reached at lschreiber @ mainebiz.biz From left, Reed McLean, Daniel Sipe and Karlë Woods in Lights Out Gallery in Norway. The artist space is in a former snowshoe factory. P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY F O C U S P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y, N O RWAY S AV I N G S B A N K Dan Walsh, president and CEO of Norway Savings Bank, says there's a surge of energy as the idea of having a vibrant arts center just off of Main Street gets closer to reality.

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