Arts and entertainment

As we reported online today and in the Wednesday print edition, the push to build a community arts center adjacent to East Ridge High School is getting a big boost. Fundraisers say a Woodbury woman who died last year left about $2 million for the project.

Apparently there are few conditions attached to the donation, which is to be finalized later this year, but the woman did ask that the arts center be named after her.

"That would be appropriate," said Michelle Witte of Arts Connection, the community group behind the arts center project.

It would be tough to argue that point, especially since the woman’s donation may represent more than 80 percent of the construction funds. Naming facilities after big donors can get controversial. However, while the arts center would be connected to a school, fundraisers are trying to avoid seeking government support.

What didn’t make it into the print version of the story was a visual, a drawing of the proposed arts center. Supporters are still working on the design, so only could offer architectural drawings. Unfortunately, those would not look good in print. However, the image below gives you an idea of where the proposed arts center will be located. The shaded area is the existing East Ridge Loft Stage and theater area.