Artsconnect Has Grand Re-Opening After Flood Renovation

If you and your family are looking for activities this Friday or Saturday, attending ArtsConnect’s grand re-opening could be a great way to kick off the weekend with family fun.  

ArtsConnect’s grand re-opening will be held on Friday, January 5, at the Springfield Township Community Arts Center on 9158 Winton Road, Building A, in Cincinnati.  

“As a non-profit in partnership with Springfield Township, ArtsConnect generates all of the arts programming for the community with a full curriculum of arts education for preschool to senior adults,” according to ArtsConnect. 

Aside from classes and camps, the non-profit organization also provides a wide array of experiences through events and art displays for everyone in the community to enjoy.  

Although ArtsConnect is beyond excited for its grand re-opening, the organization faced adversity along the way. 

In 2019, the facility for ArtsConnect was being transformed from a senior center to an arts center. ArtsConnect was able to open in 2020 as planned, but due to COVID, ArtsConnect could not have a large grand opening. 

During Christmas of 2022, Cincinnati had significantly cold weather, with temperatures dropping to single digits. As a result, the pipes in the ArtsConnect building froze, and everything that was created in the arts center was destroyed. The entire center was flooded, explained the Executive Director of ArtsConnect, Kimberlee Flamm. 

“So, we had to recreate everything that we had just done in 2020; [we] had to renovate and bring it all back,” said Flamm. 

While ArtsConnect was under reconstruction, they moved into Brent Elementary, which was decommissioned and scheduled for demolition.  

Despite experiencing significant delays and obstacles within their journey of recreating all of their hard work, ArtsConnect is beyond grateful for having Brent Elementary as their temporary home and having help from a variety of community partners such as the YMCA, Fleming Road United Church of Christ, St. Vivian and the Wyoming Recreation Center, according to Flamm.  

After two years of being patient, ArtsConnect is eager to have their grand re-opening, explained Flamm.  

The grand re-opening of ArtsConnect held on Friday will commence with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. accompanied by trustees and members of the Arts Council.  

The ceremony will be followed by a variety of creative workshops, such as having the opportunity to create an Inspiration Bracelet or even designing a button.  

A wide range of demonstrations will also be held throughout the day, including, but not limited to Tai Chi, Preschool art, a drone obstacle course and more.  

“Art After 5 Happy Hour” will take place for adults, featuring a cooking demonstration by Big Jay’s Place as seen on “America’s Best Restaurants” and “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.”  

The celebration will continue the next day on Saturday, January 6. From kid’s yoga to advanced woodshops and self-guided tours, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.  

“This is an outlet for people, and it helps them be whole,” said Flamm when referring to ArtsConnect.  

For more information about ArtConnect’s grand opening click here.