Granville Center for the Arts

From a spark of inspiration to a beacon of creativity, the Granville Center for the Arts has blossomed from humble beginnings into a powerhouse of cultural vibrancy. It all started on the sidewalks of Broadway in Granville, OH— where single, interactive art experiences took root during the monthly community art walks.

These art pop-up events, dreamt up by dynamic duo Ryan McGuire, a community artist known for his large-scale installations and imaginative projects (Portfolio at mcguiremade.com), and Kim Keethler Ball, the beloved owner of Readers’ Garden Bookstore, ignited a shared passion for enriching their community with the arts. As their vision grew, so did the aspiration of finding a dedicated space where creativity could thrive year-round.

Determined to find a location convenient to both the Granville community and Denison University students, they scoured the village for the perfect spot. Housed in the Annex Building of the United Church of Granville, where Ryan's daughter attended the Granville Parent Co-Op Preschool, sat two neglected rooms on the first floor. In the cold, uninviting gray cinderblock walls, brown floors, and dim lighting— Ryan saw boundless potential. His vision was clear: to sustainably transform the forgotten rooms into a community arts haven that would be inclusive, inspiring, and open to all. In just three months, he, alongside local community volunteer Michelle Perlstein and the helpful hands of our Board of Directors, transformed the space into a contemporary arts hub using mostly donated materials and furniture. Every design choice, from materials to layout, was intentionally crafted to welcome the community and reflect the energy and imagination of the artists who display and create art within.