Albright College has created a new cultural facility in central downtown Reading. The Albright College Cultural Center, at 645 Penn Street, will host exhibitions, poetry readings, film showings and events with the goal of creating a lively cultural venue in the downtown area. Albright is also seeking partnerships with other Berks cultural organizations.

The 4,700-square-foot space was first used as a temporary exhibit space in September 2003 for Mexico Illuminated/ Iluminado, the largest exhibition of contemporary Mexican art ever held outside of Mexico. Usable space includes both the Center and the adjoining outdoor courtyard.

Because of the success of that project, said Christopher Youngs, director of the Freedman Gallery, “many community organizations discussed creating a cultural space that could engender pride in downtown Reading while serving a public educational mission to make art more a part of everyday life. On a practical level, such a cultural space can be an asset in revitalizing the downtown business community. Marjorie Rendell, Pennsylvania’s First Lady, at a recent luncheon hosted by the Greater Berks Leadership Alliance at the Cultural Center, described how the arts had rejuvenated Philadelphia’s Avenue of the Arts. We’d like to do the same in Reading.”

The Reading Redevelopment Authority has approved $25,500 in funding to assist with operations through March 31, 2005. Funding is still needed for leasehold improvements and materials (such as folding chairs and lights), operational costs and a modest programming budget so other organizations can use the space at a minimal cost. Albright is approaching Berks County foundations, corporations and individuals for support.

In January and February 2004, the space featured the Mexico Illuminated photography exhibition previously shown at Penn State’s Freyberger Gallery along with other photo works from the Freedman Gallery. In March and April, the Mexico Illuminated video installation previously presented at Kutztown University’s Sharadin Gallery and the Freedman Gallery Warehouse Annex was shown. Upcoming exhibitions include a poetry reading/workshop by internationally acclaimed local poet Craig Czury; artworks by the renowned Russian “refusnik” artist, Leonid Sokov, from Albright’s collection of more than 100 pieces of his work; and paintings, drawings and installations by local artist Anne Heimann.

Exhibitions will also be presented by other organizations, including The Reading Public Museum, the Reading and Berks County Hispanic Center, the Freyberger Gallery, the Sharadin Gallery, the Institute of the Arts and the Berks Arts Council. Reading Area Community College and Alvernia College will also be participants.

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