THE ARTS SCENE
THE ARTS SCENE
A SMALL TOWN WITH A BIG ARTS SCENE.
From national headliners at the Norton Center for the Arts to local talent at Pioneer Playhouse, from the art glass of local artist Stephen Rolfe Powell to the miniatures of the Great American Dollhouse Museum, Danville’s arts scene is vibrant and unforgettable.
Boyle County Public Library
Stephen Rolfe Powell received a bachelor’s degree from Centre College in 1974. A few years later, he returned to Danville to make his career as an internationally known and influential glass artist, teacher and lecturer. He is particularly known for creating with murrine, a type of glass made by stretching multiple colors into a long “cane” and then cross-sectioning it to reveal intricate patterns of color. The glass studio Powell started at Centre in 1985 has now become part of the college’s Jones Visual Arts Center, where students perfect and display many varieties of artworks, and his stunning, multihued pendant display anchors the atrium of the Boyle County Public Library.
307 West Broadway, Danville, KY 40422
+1 (859) 238-7323
Centre College Norton Center for the Arts
Designed by architect William Wesley Peters of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, the Norton Center’s 85,000 square feet house stunning performance and exhibition spaces as well as exceptional academic facilities for art, music and drama.
600 West Walnut Street, Danville, KY 40422
+1 (859) 236-4692
Centre College Art – Outdoor Art
Just walking the campus of Centre College, you’ll see beauty everywhere. The Old Centre administration building, which dates from 1802 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was the inspiration for the elegant Greek Revival architectural style of other campus buildings. And Centre’s modern outdoor sculptures make a vital connection between past and present. At McDowell Park, adjacent to campus, you’ll find the beautiful Danville Labyrinth, a place of grace and meditation. Then move indoors to enjoy the college’s Jones Visual Arts Center, filled with thriving classrooms and exceptional student artwork, or visit the Norton Center for the Arts for the vibrant works in its exhibition spaces or for world-class performances by local, national and international performers and touring companies.
600 West Walnut Street, Danville, KY 40422
1 (859) 238-5200
Art Center of the Bluegrass
The Art Center of the Bluegrass refurbished Danville’s historic 1909 Federal Building to house its galleries, studios and classrooms, creating a hub for the region’s rich and vibrant Arts District.
401 West Main Street, Danville, KY 40422
+1 (859) 236-4054
Community Galleries and Local Art
The Arts Commission of Danville Boyle County partners with local businesses such as The Hub and AMBRAbev to provide more opportunities for local artists to share their work with the community. Like what you see? The art on the walls is for sale!
401 West Main Street, Danville, KY 40422
+1 (859) 236-4054
Great American Dollhouse Museum
Fascinating for adults and children alike, the museum contains over 200 intricate and beautifully detailed miniature buildings and scenes from throughout history and across the globe.
344 Swope Drive, Danville, KY 40422
+1 (859) 236-1883
Pioneer Playhouse Theatre
Founded in 1950 by Col. Eben C. Henson and still operated by the Henson family today, Pioneer Playhouse is the oldest outdoor theatre in Kentucky. Come for one of Chef Tom’s famous hot dinners, see the Pioneer Village, visit the Palace of Sweets, then take in a play!
840 Standford Avenue, Danville, KY 40422
+1 (859) 236-2747
West T. Hill
Named in honor of its founder, a former chairman of the Dramatic Arts Department at Centre College, this cozy Off Broadway theatre hosts a variety of plays and special events throughout the year.
117 Larrimore Lane, Danville, KY 40422
+1 (859) 319-0205