Positive Feedback for West Arundel Arts Group

The Odenton Town Center Committee has endorsed efforts by a new group to expand opportunities for the arts in the area, and said there could be ways to work with the development community on building theater space.

West Arundel Creative Arts on Tuesday presented its plans to bring classes, workshops and performances to the area, and said it is eyeing the construction of a theater on Odenton Road. 

The town center committee said it was supportive of group's efforts and said it would be open to creative ideas on how to get the theater funded. 

WACA president Rebecca Feibel said the group would like to build a theater of about 10,000 square feet, plus offices and classroom space. They have been drawn to a property at 1380 Odenton Rd., which is for sale. Construction of the theater would cost about $6 million, plus about $600,00 to acquire the 1.77-acre property.

Feibel said WACA has had meetings with the Martinez + Johnson Architecture firm on preliminary theater designs. 

WACA is exploring a variety of funding options, including grants from the Local Development Council, which directs funds to the community from casino revenue.

Working With Developers

The committee said there could also be ways to get some money for a theater by leveraging provisions of the town center plan that require development projects to have a mix of uses.  

For instance, a developer could theoretically satisfy a requirement for retail by helping to fund a theater as part of a larger project, said Mike Fox, a county planner who works directly with the town center committee.

Committee member and local chamber of commerce president Claire Louder noted that the town center plan also allows for shared parking arrangements between development projects, which could reduce overall costs. 

"The idea is to keep thinking out of the box," Fox said. "This is something where it can be done, particularly if its something that is for the good of the all."

Feibel said WACA was open-minded. 

"We're willing to work with anyone who wants to work with us," she said. "Whatever it takes to get a facility built. We just want to bring the arts to this area and build something that lasts."

Classes Begin in January

WACA is now accepting signups for theater classes in Odenton and Severna Park. Eight-week sessions start in January and cost $92 or $100, depending on location. Anyone can register at wacarts.com. 

WACA Fundraiser at J. King's

WACA will hold its first fundraiser at J. King's Restaurant in Gambrills on Dec. 13 and 14. Anyone who dines there on those days will have 10 percent of their check donated to WACA. (Just let your server know you're there to support WACA.)