By Darlene Brace
People that live in Jamestown and the surrounding area most likely have heard of the Infinity Visual and Performing Arts, but they may not realize how it all started and the wide variety of programs and activities that it has to offer. Let’s take a closer look to see what it’s all about.
The Infinity Visual and Performing Arts Center is a large studio located at 302 E. Second Street in downtown Jamestown. The building is approximately 14,000 square feet of creative space. Some rooms are stocked with all kinds of instruments and other learning materials. Other rooms are used for art, dance, band practices, and private and small group lessons. It includes a recording studio and a small performance stage called the Infinity Arts Café. There are over thirty instructors/mentors and over 300 students ages 3-21yrs. enrolled as well as some adult students.
Infinity started back in 1998. A group of young people interested in pursuing music got together initially in their homes. As the interest grew, they needed a space to provide the opportunity for young musicians to build and enhance their creative talents. A local community leader, Ron Graham, is considered the founder of the Infinity Program and got things organized in collaboration with the Arts Council. Initially it was called the Infinity Performing Arts Project. It has since been renamed and relocated, but it has been at its current location since 2014. As years went by, more programs were offered, and dance and all the arts were included. What began in 1998 in a parent’s living room with a small group of talented young musicians has evolved many times into what it is today.
To attend Infinity lessons, you must buy a monthly membership. With a monthly membership, you will receive one thirty-minute private lesson a week and includes group lessons and performances that are available. If a student is uncertain of what instrument they want to play, one of their lessons can be in the exploration room, where they can try all the instruments until they find what best suits them.
The space is warm and inviting and is decorated with some of the students’ art hanging on the walls. The studio comes to life when you witness children expressing their creative talents in various ways. Infinity is student driven, and their interests and dreams are of upmost importance. They can pursue any interests they have in expressing their creativity. In fact, the Infinity name was chosen to represent the untapped and endless potential of all its members.
Infinity is a non-profit organization, and about half of their revenue comes from grants, and the rest comes from donations, the program fees, sponsorships, and fundraisers. About thirty percent of the students get scholarships from grants that enables some students to attend that otherwise would not be able to.
In 2022, Pearl City Clay House opened as a second location and extension of Infinity, and it is housed in a building across the street. It is a community art space for adults to take part in activities and classes, such as pottery classes as well as painting, crafts, jewelry making and more. There are also activities that your family can enjoy together. You can also just walk in, buy a piece of pottery, paint it yourself, and pick it up all shiny and finished a week or so later. All of the proceeds from Pearl City Clay House are designated to support the youth programming at the Infinity Center.
December is a busy month at the Infinity Center, and they are hosting holiday performances to celebrate. On December 5th, they will have a student holiday recital at 7pm in the Infinity Arts Café. This recital will mostly feature soloists and students new to performing.
On December 7th, the Infinity Center as well as the Clay House will be having their Seventh Annual Holiday Art Market from 10am-4pm. This is one of Infinity’s main fundraising events and over fifteen local artisans will rent spaces to sell homemade crafts. Come and check it out and buy some Christmas gifts for some of those on your list.
Then on December 13th, the Infinity students and instructors will be having their Holiday Kaleidoscope Event at 7pm, and it will be a magical evening of holiday themed performances. This show is open to the public and there will be a variety of soloists and group performances.
The Infinity Visual and Performing Arts Center is a great community resource for children and families to explore their creative talents. If you want more information or are interested in attending classes, call (716) 664-0991. You can also go to infinityperformingarts.org.