BAYarts Irene Fuller House renovation nearing completion

BAYarts executive director Nancy Heaton in the Fuller House classroom space.

The long awaited renovation of the BAYarts Irene Fuller House is nearly complete. Scott Adams, of JQA Construction, the general contractor on the project, is targeting early January to "turn over the keys" to the BAYarts organization, once the inspections are completed, so they can hold classes and a gallery show. The renovation began in spring 2010 and is wrapping up.

"I'm really excited about this renovation of the Fuller House," said Scott Adams. "It's been a great project for me and my team of contractors. Early on, we aggressively rebuilt the entire infrastructure of the building to be sure it was strong and secure. Once that was complete, we were able to save much of the original house ad blend new contemporary elements in with the old house, creating an environment unlike any other gallery or arts teaching facility in Northeast Ohio. The combination of the new and the old makes for a great setting, both inside and out, and I think the patrons will be pleased with what we've accomplished."

The newly designed Irene Fuller House features new flooring, windows, roof, gutters, bathrooms, HVAC, floor-to-ceiling window walls, a new wrap-around deck, a small kitchen nook, a second gazebo, an indoor and outdoor drawing and painting studio and a third floor office, along with a beautiful gallery space featuring moving art panels aound decorative columns. 

Working closely with the Cleveland Metroparks, Adams and architect Mark Yager of YDesignGroup were able to integrate the new building into the BAYarts landscape, creating a whole new "arts campus." This past fall, the Metroparks also rebuilt the walkways between Huntington Playhouse, Vento and BAYarts and moved the electric service underground. Maple Leaf Landscaping has also begun planting new gardens.

"I am so delighted the project is almost complete," said Nancy Heaton, Executive Director for BAYarts. "We are so lucky to have the financial support of the state, Cleveland Metroparks and our donors. Each day we've been watching Scott and his team carefully and artfully rebuild the old house, piece by piece. We just can't wait to get in and welcome the community to our new space."

BAYarts will hold a formal grand opening ceremony in the spring once the entire renovation project is complete. For more information, visit bayarts.net or, better yet, take a walk over to the site and see the renovation first hand.

Read More on Local News
Volume 3, Issue 1, Posted 4:59 PM, 01.04.2011