September 1, 2024
Maryland Center for the Arts Community Update
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions from our community. Please direct your questions and concerns to Dr. Bob Willenbrink, Executive Director, at [email protected].
1. How did the Maryland Center for the Arts acquire the land across the street from the Abingdon Library?
The Emily Bayliss Graham Trust donated the 42-acre parcel of property to the Maryland Center for the Arts for the purpose of creating an arts campus to enlighten and unite the community.
The property sits in the heart of the development envelope and is zoned for dense development, to include shopping centers, townhouses and the like. However, the Center is committed to creating an arts center in accordance with Ms. Graham’s wishes. The land that is not used for the arts center will remain in its natural state. The property is not owned by the county and is private property. But, we want the property to benefit the community and will work to ensure this is the case versus having it developed differently per existing zoning.
2. How is the arts center project being funded?
Creating an arts center is challenging and expensive. To date, we have used funds generously donated by the State of Maryland to clear and grade the property, put in a parking lot and seed the property. This was done to utilize a $1.2 million dollar bond provided by the State of Maryland before the monies reverted to the State. The property has been developed to this point so we can host events before any building construction takes place.
3. What events will be held on the property before the arts center is constructed?
The property can be used on a limited basis for events now. We have installed a permanent, moveable stage built by the Amish. It is a work of art itself. When the arts center is complete, it will provide flexibility and the ability to host more than one event.
The inaugural event hosted on the property was the Harmony Woods Music & Beer Fest, held on June 21-22. We have additional events planned in September and October.
Additionally, the Center has partnered with Harford County Public Schools to provide a space for large gatherings and educational activities. Plans include summer arts education programs and opportunities for science studies in the surrounding woods, where students can explore local flora and wildlife.
4. Why did you have to cut down trees on the property, rather than leaving it in its natural state?
The property is earmarked by the Emily Baylis Graham Trust, the property’s owner, for an arts center. The Trust donated it to the Maryland Center for the Arts to move this exciting project forward. The tree removal is the beginning of the process to make an arts center a reality.
If an arts center does not move forward, the property will be sold and likely be developed into a shopping center, townhouses, and/or apartments. Our plan for the art center is to leave much of the property alone while only developing a small portion of the 42 acres into an arts center that will benefit the community.
5. What is the status of the Bear Legacy Adventure Trails?
The trails were closed to accommodate the clearing of the 10 acres where the arts center will be located. This was done for the safety of the public. They continue to be closed because a slave burial ground was discovered at the back of the property where part of the trail is located. We are working with experts to properly memorialize this area. Once this has been done, we will work to reopen the trails. We hope this will occur in Spring of 2025 but this will be determined by the memorialization of the burial ground and working with Bear Legacy Trails or another organization to redesign the trails accordingly so they are safe and do not disrupt the burial ground.
6. How is the Center honoring and preserving the site of the enslaved persons graveyard discovered on the property?
Significant time and resources have been spent establishing the location and number of graves. The graveyard is not and never has been within the cleared area.
7. When will the Bear Legacy Adventure Trails reopen?
We remain hopeful that the trails can be reopened in the spring, when the grass is established, the trails can be cleared, and the enslaved persons graveyard has been properly designated and protected.
8. What are the next steps for the construction of the arts center?
At this point, the arts center is being constructed in ‘layers’. The first layer was the grading and seeding of the property, and putting in a parking lot, as required by Harford County. Our next goal is to bring electricity to the site. Once we have electricity, we will move on to installing the water and sewer.
9. What is the estimated cost of building the arts center, who is paying for it, and what is the timeline?
The first phase of the arts center will cost an estimated $3 million dollars to construct. We are seeking funds from a variety of sources, including the State of Maryland, private foundations, and private donors.
Our goal is to have the money raised and construction started by 2027.
10. What will be included in the first phase of construction and how will it be utilized?
The first phase of construction will include an outdoor stage, bathrooms, and offices. We will host theatrical performances, musical events, dance events, cultural events, festivals, and more.
The venue will be available to the public to rent, in addition to the events and programs hosted by the Center. We welcome any suggestions regarding programming and events for the venue. A rendering of the center can be found above.
11. What is the Center’s organizational structure?
The Maryland Center for the Arts primarily is a volunteer organization. We have a small staff and volunteer Board of Trustees. Many volunteers are needed, and if you’d like to help in any way, we would welcome you.
To stay informed, sign up to receive emails and our weekly e-newsletter here.
Again, if you have questions, please contact Bob Willenbrink, Maryland Center for the Arts Executive Director at [email protected].
Maryland Center for the Arts Community Update
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions from our community. Please direct your questions and concerns to Dr. Bob Willenbrink, Executive Director, at [email protected].
1. How did the Maryland Center for the Arts acquire the land across the street from the Abingdon Library?
The Emily Bayliss Graham Trust donated the 42-acre parcel of property to the Maryland Center for the Arts for the purpose of creating an arts campus to enlighten and unite the community.
The property sits in the heart of the development envelope and is zoned for dense development, to include shopping centers, townhouses and the like. However, the Center is committed to creating an arts center in accordance with Ms. Graham’s wishes. The land that is not used for the arts center will remain in its natural state. The property is not owned by the county and is private property. But, we want the property to benefit the community and will work to ensure this is the case versus having it developed differently per existing zoning.
2. How is the arts center project being funded?
Creating an arts center is challenging and expensive. To date, we have used funds generously donated by the State of Maryland to clear and grade the property, put in a parking lot and seed the property. This was done to utilize a $1.2 million dollar bond provided by the State of Maryland before the monies reverted to the State. The property has been developed to this point so we can host events before any building construction takes place.
3. What events will be held on the property before the arts center is constructed?
The property can be used on a limited basis for events now. We have installed a permanent, moveable stage built by the Amish. It is a work of art itself. When the arts center is complete, it will provide flexibility and the ability to host more than one event.
The inaugural event hosted on the property was the Harmony Woods Music & Beer Fest, held on June 21-22. We have additional events planned in September and October.
Additionally, the Center has partnered with Harford County Public Schools to provide a space for large gatherings and educational activities. Plans include summer arts education programs and opportunities for science studies in the surrounding woods, where students can explore local flora and wildlife.
4. Why did you have to cut down trees on the property, rather than leaving it in its natural state?
The property is earmarked by the Emily Baylis Graham Trust, the property’s owner, for an arts center. The Trust donated it to the Maryland Center for the Arts to move this exciting project forward. The tree removal is the beginning of the process to make an arts center a reality.
If an arts center does not move forward, the property will be sold and likely be developed into a shopping center, townhouses, and/or apartments. Our plan for the art center is to leave much of the property alone while only developing a small portion of the 42 acres into an arts center that will benefit the community.
5. What is the status of the Bear Legacy Adventure Trails?
The trails were closed to accommodate the clearing of the 10 acres where the arts center will be located. This was done for the safety of the public. They continue to be closed because a slave burial ground was discovered at the back of the property where part of the trail is located. We are working with experts to properly memorialize this area. Once this has been done, we will work to reopen the trails. We hope this will occur in Spring of 2025 but this will be determined by the memorialization of the burial ground and working with Bear Legacy Trails or another organization to redesign the trails accordingly so they are safe and do not disrupt the burial ground.
6. How is the Center honoring and preserving the site of the enslaved persons graveyard discovered on the property?
Significant time and resources have been spent establishing the location and number of graves. The graveyard is not and never has been within the cleared area.
7. When will the Bear Legacy Adventure Trails reopen?
We remain hopeful that the trails can be reopened in the spring, when the grass is established, the trails can be cleared, and the enslaved persons graveyard has been properly designated and protected.
8. What are the next steps for the construction of the arts center?
At this point, the arts center is being constructed in ‘layers’. The first layer was the grading and seeding of the property, and putting in a parking lot, as required by Harford County. Our next goal is to bring electricity to the site. Once we have electricity, we will move on to installing the water and sewer.
9. What is the estimated cost of building the arts center, who is paying for it, and what is the timeline?
The first phase of the arts center will cost an estimated $3 million dollars to construct. We are seeking funds from a variety of sources, including the State of Maryland, private foundations, and private donors.
Our goal is to have the money raised and construction started by 2027.
10. What will be included in the first phase of construction and how will it be utilized?
The first phase of construction will include an outdoor stage, bathrooms, and offices. We will host theatrical performances, musical events, dance events, cultural events, festivals, and more.
The venue will be available to the public to rent, in addition to the events and programs hosted by the Center. We welcome any suggestions regarding programming and events for the venue. A rendering of the center can be found above.
11. What is the Center’s organizational structure?
The Maryland Center for the Arts primarily is a volunteer organization. We have a small staff and volunteer Board of Trustees. Many volunteers are needed, and if you’d like to help in any way, we would welcome you.
To stay informed, sign up to receive emails and our weekly e-newsletter here.
Again, if you have questions, please contact Bob Willenbrink, Maryland Center for the Arts Executive Director at [email protected].
The Bear Legacy Adventure Trail will be back!!!