About Us

A brief history of CAC

History

Architectural drawing of front and rear of building.

The Beginning

The historical village of Clinton, Michigan is the new home of Clinton Arts Center. Andrah Foundation and Ruth Knoll, resident of Clinton, are working closely with the Clinton Village Council and Historical Society to renovate and rebuild two 19th century era downtown buildings. Although keeping the historical visual attributes of that period, the CAC will be a state of the art facility to house pottery, 2-D art and glass studios and classes.

Architects and CAC staff have worked for months to plan class rooms, studios for artists, a futuristic computer center and community events space. The center will also house a gallery and retail shop for supplies and artwork. Deconstruction will start in late August with a targeted opening of fall 2015. In the meantime, temporary class space is being developed at 127 West Michigan Avenue in downtown Clinton and at Fisk Studio located at Fisk Road and McCollum. Children and adult programs in an extensive variety or art forms are being developed to introduce at this temporary site.

Architectural drawing of first floor of building. Meet the Staff

Knoll had the good fortune to find and hire her “dream team”. Kristine Cravens is a marketing expert and a board member of the Michigan Arts Association and an accomplished potter. Prudy Vannier, an internationally known decorative painter, has a background of publishing and distributing art books, and has served on the boards of several art related and community associations. Jane White has an MA degree in ceramics and is the former director of Michigan’s Pewabic Pottery clay studio. All provide extraordinary expertise and are working hard to create the best possible environment for students of all ages and fellow artists.  

Architectural drawing of second floor of building.

Construction & Plans

The future home of Clinton Arts Center is being developed at 115 and 121 West Michigan Avenue. Rob Burroughs of OX Design is the lead architect designing the renovation. The McFate Group of Chelsea, Michigan is the construction management company lead by Rob McFate. Tom Harris is the onsite manage of day to day construction. All involved are experts in their fields paying close attention to detail in every aspect. These include:

  • Handicap accessibility throughout
  • An elevator to connect all three levels
  • Advanced methods to filter air as well as to recycle and filter water
  • State of the art pottery and glass equipment that include kilns, torches, and wheels
  • Private studio space for artists as well as community space for equipment use
  • Catering kitchen and community space with landscaped deck for private events

See demonstrations and sign up for fall classes at temporary quarters 127 West Michigan at Clinton’s Fall Festival September 26, 27, 28, 2014. Also follow our progress on YouTube.