By David Rogers. February 9, 2012. BLOWING ROCK -- Not a hint of laughter rolled through the theater. Not a single "Bravo!"  Not even a (visible) tear for a poignantly dramatic moment.  A now dark lobby -- once brightened with the smiles of professional theatre patrons and fans of other performing arts -- finally gave way to cardboard boxes crammed with financial records and legal documents, bound for yet unknown storage destinations.

When the doors first opened to the Robert and Mariam Hayes Performing Arts Center in 2006, it was with a lot of pomp, circumstance, and community pride. There was even an "Eleganza!"

Today, the Blowing Rock Community Arts Center Foundation Board of Trustees quietly announced that the Performing Arts Center is closing, effectively immediately. Pursuant to claims secured by the building and other assets, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. will assume control of the property.  Foreclosure proceedings have begun.

A press release distributed this afternoon by the Board of Trustees noted that, "Hundreds of people put their hearts and souls -- as well as financial resources -- into enriching the lives of Blowing Rock residents and visitors through the Arts Center. Perhaps an even greater testament to their support and innovation is the fact that these supporters kept BRCAC open the past few years, despite a severely struggling economy that has (adversely) affected arts funding nationwide. BRCAC's supporters fought (these trends) and pursued every possibility until there were no other options (remaining)."

In announcing the immediate closure of the building and its reversion to the bank in consideration of the Center's debt, BRCAC chairman Ron Bryson said, "First and foremost, we wish to thank the hundreds of donors and supporters who, over more than a decade, gave of their time, talents, and financial resources to make the vision for a performing arts center a reality in Blowing Rock. It was an extraordinary effort that became reality only because of the dedication of many people. BRCAC (experienced) both triumphs and failures over the years, but we can be proud that we by far enjoyed many more triumphs.  Thousands of people experienced the arts in a unique way because of the Arts Center and its supporters."

Bryson strongly emphasized how important it was to the Board to keep BRCAC open the past, almost three years, so that as many local vendors as possible could be paid for services rendered. "We saw the effects of the struggling economy," Bryson observed, "and how it began to take a serious toll on the Center in 2009, as donations declined.  Our priority has always been to the local community, so we explored every option -- and worked hard -- to stay open.  Volunteers came forward to serve on re-positioning teams. Others donated professional services to help the Center return.  We are thankful for the time and efforts of these individuals.

"Everyone wanted the Center to succeed," Bryson concluded. "But we knew that if we had to close, we wanted to do it in a way that would lessen the impact on the local economy. We believe the spirit of enriching lives through the arts will continue, and that the (Blowing Rock) community will embrace and expand the arts.  That's a legacy of which to be proud."

The Blowing Rock Community Arts Center Foundation was formed in 2000, by community members aiming to advance professional theatre and other cultural arts in Blowing Rock and the High Country.  Most of the founding members were actively involved in the now defunct Blowing Rock Stage Company, and an original goal of the Foundation was for a new theatre building to serve as the permanent home of the Stage Company, as well as serving as a venue for other performing arts productions and community-type meetings.

While the Stage Company enjoyed one of its most successful artistic and commercial seasons during the summer and autumn months of 2009, its growth was unable to overcome the overall administrative costs associated with operating the building, including the construction debt service and, at year's end, the Stage Company was disbanded.  The theatre building "went dark" while the Board re-organized and formed a re-positioning committee.  

In 2011, the Center reopened to stage a variety of musical, dance, comedy and theatrical shows.  While most shows were well reviewed, their collective box office performances were insufficient to maintain operations and, at the same time, the general economic slowdown took its toll on patron donations.

Blowing Rock News has learned that Wells Fargo is not alone in its receivership of the property. Thanks to a grant negotiated on behalf of the Arts Center by present and former board members, the U.S. Department of Agriculture guaranteed a significant portion of the Center's debt. The details of the bank's and USDA's plans for the building have not yet been released.

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