In 1999, family and friends came together to honor the memory of Kirk Rhein by funding the startup of a large open studio arts center in the Epworth Lodge building, located on the corner of Walnut Avenue and Sixth Street.
Twenty years later, the C. Kirk Rhein, Jr. Center for the Living Arts welcomes more than 10,000 students each summer, offering a wide variety of classes in fine arts, practical arts and creative crafts for students of every generation. The full spectrum of arts are represented with an ever-changing weekly lineup of classes, including 2-D arts, ceramic arts, fiber arts, glass arts, all kinds of crafts, literature, music, theatre, woodworking, and so much more.
The Rhein Center, as it is affectionately known, gathers more than 140 instructors each season to share their time and expertise with Lakesiders in a community that fosters friendships, new creative passions and continued self-exploration.
At 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 8, Lakeside will honor the 20
th
Anniversary of the Rhein Center and the 100
th
Anniversary of Epworth Lodge in a ceremony at the Rhein Center. Join us for a celebration of stories, history and refreshments.
Read the
Lakesider,
visit the
Front Porch blog
and check out Lakeside's Facebook page throughout the summer to find featured highlights of the past 20 years and more information about our anniversary celebrations.
