ArtsBridge unveils new Vienna facility, outlines school and community programs

Lindsay Dennetts, executive director of ArtsBridge, told the Vienna City Council that the nonprofit has moved into a new permanent facility and encouraged the public to visit.

Dennetts said the organization’s mission is “to educate, entertain, and enrich,” and described a slate of programs that serve students and other community groups across Wood and Washington counties.

Dennetts described ongoing and upcoming offerings: a winter music series held at the Grand Central Mall with local school groups (extended by one week because of weather), school art displays on a two-week rotation, an arts day at West Virginia University for students with developmental differences in March, an April program for at‑risk youth called Art Encounters, and a summer music series that runs Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 8 with two acts (an opening act and a headliner). She also described two school‑focused programs — a catalog of local artists available to classrooms and an “artists on tour” program that brings larger performances into schools.

“We will bring art to anybody who needs it,” Dennetts said, listing programs for seniors, elementary, middle and high school students. She said ArtsBridge runs 14 year‑round programs and relies largely on grants and municipal support to cover program and overhead costs.

Dennetts invited councilmembers and residents to visit the new space and to attend upcoming events, including the winter music series performance on March 2.

Councilmembers and residents asked whether programs include adults and photography; Dennetts said programs serve all ages and that photography could be added to the artist catalog if a photographer signs up.

The presentation concluded with the council noting municipal support for ArtsBridge and thanking Dennetts for the update.