Arts Council announces fall capital campaign

The Lorain Arts Council announced its fall capital campaign after formally taking ownership of its location at 737 Broadway.

“After seven long years as tenants at 737 Broadway Ave. in Lorain, today we formally announce that we are the proud owner of said building in downtown Lorain,” Executive Director Antonio Barrios said in a letter to supporters. “Words do not suffice to explain the joy and feeling of elation that the board and volunteer staff are enjoying these last few weeks as we work through the transition of the deed now submitted in the name of the Lorain Arts Council.”

Barrios said the building is in need of some repairs, including the roof, air conditioning and windows.

In the meantime, the Arts Council will continue developing and promoting the arts in Lorain, he said.

The Mundo Latino Fashion Fundraiser will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. Sept. 15, at the Transportation Building at 421 Black River Lane.

The event will feature Lorain designer Jonathan Anderson, Latin cuisine and live music from Calle con Clase and DJ RoRo. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door.

“We’re going to give a flavor of the Latino world, which is huge,” Barrios said in a phone interview Aug. 22. “People don’t quite understand that there are 19 nations that speak Spanish. Every country has something special about it.

“We wanted to remind the world that, yes, we are Hispanic, Latinos, but we are also very different from each other.”

Following the fundraiser, the Arts Council will hold a series of events to mark Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month and are working to develop a multicultural art center on the second floor to provide a haven for different ethnic communities to express themselves through the arts, Barrios said, adding he would to work to promote local artists by providing space to use as a day studio.