ACAC Board Members, staff, team members from Warehaus Architects and Engineers, representatives from Keystruct Construction, and building project supporters gathered in front of the building for a photo opportunity, complete with hard hats and a gold sledgehammer to commemorate the beginning of the project. The program continued inside with a lovely spread of food and wine and speaking appearances by ACAC Executive Director Lisa Cadigan, ACAC Building Committee Chair/Board Member Robert Phillips, Warehaus Lead Architect for the project, Erin Himmelberger, Keystruct Construction President, Darrin Flohr, and Adams County Community Foundation President/CEO Ralph Serpe. The program concluded with a performance and singalong led by the Gettysburg Civic Chorus. Also present to help kick off the Annual Giving Spree were representatives from Waldo’s, Gettysburg Community Theatre, and the Gettysburg Children’s Choir. 

Cadigan’s remarks referred to a metaphor developed by 20^th century architect, inventor, and philosopher Buckminster Fuller, who compares the “trimtabs” that are necessary to steer a large ship to the many seemingly insignificant and small steps people take both individually and collectively to create change. “Everyone who is here tonight, who has taken a class, made a donation, or participated in one of our programs has been a trimtab on this journey,” said Cadigan. “Our journey is far from over – we still need significant funding to secure the future of this building." Cadigan invited everyone to support the arts with donations at the Annual Giving Spree on November 9.

The new façade design, created by Warehaus Architects and Engineers of York, was revealed as part of the program. The design includes an expansion of the front windows to include window boxes where three-dimensional art can be displayed as well as areas on the outside of the building to hang artwork. Construction is scheduled to begin on October 24.

Funding for this project has been provided by the Adams County Rescue & Recovery Fund, J. William Warehime Foundation, Robert C. Hoffman Charitable Endowment Trust, Main Street Gettysburg, and Sharon Magraw.

The mission of the Adams County Arts Council is to cultivate an arts-rich community.