Reg Lenna Center for the Arts Theatre

The Reg Lenna Center for the Arts has received state funding to go toward replacing seats in its theatre.

Over $42 million has been awarded through the New York State Council on the Arts to 144 small and medium-sized capital projects. This record capital investment in arts and cultural organizations across the state supports crucial building renovations, accessibility improvements and new spaces for creative work.

The Reg will receive $230,000 from NYSCA for the $460,000 project to replace 1,200 seats.

Reg Executive Director Hillary Meyer said, “In our centennial year, we are thrilled to receive this funding from the New York State Council on the Arts to upgrade our seating for the next 100 years of visitors to our facility.”

The Reg Lenna Center for the Arts is the parents company of WRFA-LP.

The grants are part of nearly $45 million going toward over 1,200 arts organizations and 426 artists in New York State.

Chautauqua Institution is receiving $40,000 in funding as well as $10,000 toward the program, “Cerstin Johnson: The Trian of Millicent Owakhu,” and another $10,000 for the program, “Jimin Han: Mistaking Minari: Growing Up Korean American in Chautauqua County.”

The Chautauqua Regional Youth Ballet will receive $40,000. Infinity Visual and Performing Arts has been granted $30,000. The Reg Lenna Center for the Arts, which is the parent company of WRFA, is receiving $30,000. And the Roger Tory Peterson Institute will receive $25,000.

In 2021, NYSCA overhauled its funding strategies to allow greater access to art funding across the state and recommitted its support to artists. As a result, NYSCA increased its funding of artists by 400 percent and awarded grants to 83 percent of first-time applicants.

The Reg Lenna Center for the Arts’ programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

The New York State Council on the Arts is distributing nearly $32 million in grants to 1,032 organizations. Statewide Community Regrants will promote local decision-making by art organizations.

Organizations receiving regrants in Chautauqua County include the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts, who is WRFA’s parent company, receiving $10,000 to increase staff hours. The Chautauqua Regional Youth Ballet will receive $10,000 to pay artists and $10,000 to increase staff hours. Infinity Visual and Performing Arts will receive $10,000 for marketing and the Roger Tory Peterson Institute will receive $10,000 to rehire staff.

The day is being held in partnership between the City and artist Molly Strong.

Strong was awarded a $5,000 grant to install a mural on the ground floor of the south stairwell exterior of the parking garage.

The Community Paint Day is scheduled for 9:30 a.m to 2:00 p.m., Saturday, September 10.

Interested participants can register for 90-minute blocks at
https://www.jamestownny.gov/departments/department-of-development/planning/public-art-2/.

Those who don’t have the ability to sign up online may call City Principal Planner Ellen Shadle at 716-483-7657 to register.

Supplies and materials will be provided. A rain date is scheduled for Saturday, September 24 if needed.

Funding for the program comes from the Statewide Community Regrant program through the New York State Council on the Arts.

Spring Street Parking Garage

The City of Jamestown has announced the artist to design and install a mural on the Spring Street Parking Garage.

Molly Strong, who was selected through an open call application process, is a Jamestown-based artist whose portfolio includes a range of exhibitions along with murals at The Beer Snob and Love Elementary School

The first phase of the Spring Street Parking Garage beautification project is being made possible through a grant from the New York State Council on the Arts.

Ms. Strong has begun concept design planning with installation of the mural planned to occur this summer and early fall.

For more information on the city’s public art initiative, visit: https://www.jamestownny.gov/departments/department-of-development/planning/public-art-2/

The Reg Lenna Center for the Arts, which is the parent organization for WRFA, received $88,000 for sound, rigging and lighting system upgrades. Infinity Visual and Performing Arts received $10,000 for a display system installation, and the Roger Tory Peterson Institute received $10,000 for an access ramp installation.

The 116 Capital Projects that were funded across New York State range from innovative construction renovations to critical equipment updates that prioritize health and safety upgrades.

NYSCA’s Round Three grants include Support for Organizations, Support for Artists, Special Opportunities, and Recovery Grants. All four categories of funding provide organizations and artists with dollars to boost their recovery process in response to the economic impact of the Pandemic.

Local recipients include the Fredonia Opera House receiving $59,500; the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts will receive $49,500 for theater operations and programming; the Chautauqua Regional Youth Ballet will receive $10,000; and Infinity Visual and Performing Arts also will receive $10,000.

NYSCA said more than 60% of their grantees have organizational budgets of $1 million or less.

The Reg Lenna Center for the Arts is receiving $20,000, Fredonia Opera House $10,000; Chautauqua Regional Youth Ballet will receive $10,000;, and the Western New York Chamber Orchestra also will receive $10,000.

At least 60 percent of each grant award will provide compensation for artistic and or creative professionals.

Lisa Schmidtfrerick ‘Peeking Frog’

JAMESTOWN – The annual Over 100 Under 100 local art exhibit is now open at Reg Lenna Center for The Arts. The show, which is usually displayed in 3rd on 3rd Gallery, is located on the mezzanine at The Reg.

Each piece of artwork is priced at $100 or lower in order to encourage holiday gift-givers and art lovers to shop locally.

Participating artists include: Gallery Curator Debra Eck, Jennifer Randall, Lisa Schmidtfrerick, Karen Glosser, Katherine Stuart, Barbara Del Monte, Catherine Walsh, D’arsie Manzella, Connie Bahan, Yu Kanazawa, Cam Glosser, Heather Kanazawa, Lisa Conklin and more. The show is scheduled to run through December 29.

Over 100 Under 100 is sponsored by New York State Council on the Arts. It is open to the public weekdays from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and one hour before upcoming events at Reg.

The show is scheduled to run through December 29.

More art shows are being planned for the mezzanine in the coming months as the 3rd on 3rd Gallery is in the process of being relocated to street level into the former Reg Studio Theater space at 108 E. 3rd St.

For more information visit RegLenna.com.

The free event, which is being funded by the New York State Council for the Humanities and coordinated by the city of Jamestown’s Cultural Bridges Action Team, will take place Saturday from 5 to 6 p.m. inside the Reg.

In light of the current economic crisis in Puerto Rico and the growing population of Puerto Ricans in Jamestown, this public discussion will address issues related to migration, inclusion, and the complex relationship between the U.S. and its Territory.

the topics that will be focused on include What are the larger economic and political forces that fuel this migration, What led to previous waves of migration, and how might the Jamestown community become more welcoming to newcomers.

Panelists for the forum will include Nelson Denis – a former New York State Assemblyman.  Indo Quiñones – an Outreach & Engagement Specialist/Technical Assistant at Evergreen Health Services. And Peter Lombardi – a Jamestown native, city planner, and local author.

The event will be moderated WRFA’s Jason Sample.

This event is part of a daylong celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month including art, food tastings, and live music.

The day begins with a public “Meet the Artist” reception at 2 p.m. in the 3^rd on 3^rd Gallery with Pablo Shine, one of two artists featured in the exhibit “Hispanic Heritage.”

David Gonzalez will perform with Poetic License during a free show for the community on Saturday, Oct. 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the Reg Lenna.

Also just before the forum at 4:45 p.m., the Reg Lenna will present a short video – Jamestown: The Welcoming City – examining the lives of local Hispanic citizens and their experiences in Jamestown.

The 5 p.m. forum will immediately be followed by a Latino Food Fiesta hosted by CHQ Foods, starting at about 6 p.m. A cash bar will be open to offset costs for the evening.

Also starting at 6 p.m. – four Videoworks students from Jamestown High School will be available to record any local residents who would like to tell share their story.

The evening will end with a free concert at 7:30 p.m. by David Gonzalez with the band, Poetic License.

All events are free and family-friendly.

Hispanic Heritage events are made possible by support from New York State Council on the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities and New York Council for the Humanities.

For more information, call 716.484.7070 or visit reglenna.com.