No. 59: Celeste Lewis - MANAGER OF PAM MILLER DOWNTOWN ARTS CENTER

Celeste Lewis, longtime manager of the Pam Miller Downtown Arts Center (PMDAC), joins host Kate Savage to reflect on more than a decade of transformation at this Lexington cultural hub. Celeste traces the building’s evolution from a retail block to a multi-use arts center, noting key milestones like the closure of beloved venues Alfalfa’s and Ann Tower Gallery, changes in gallery spaces, and how the center navigated challenges—including revitalizing underutilized floors through crucial ARPA funding. She details the diversity and purpose of PMDAC’s three galleries, the explosion of community engagement in the newly renovated event and rehearsal spaces, and the joys and logistics of programming for both Moondance Amphitheater and the upcoming Phoenix Park amphitheater. Along the way, Celeste and Kate touch on the vital role the arts play in community vitality and share how Lexington’s collaborative spirit keeps the arts scene both accessible and ever-evolving.

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