The Bower Center of the Arts
305 N. Bridge Street, Bedford, VA 24523 / (540) 586-4235
Hours of Operation: Wednesday - Friday 11am - 4pm, Saturday 11am - 5pm
The Bower Center for the Arts, under the umbrella of the Wharton Memorial Foundation, is a non-profit art center nestled in the heart of Bedford, Virginia at the corner of Bridge Street and Bedford Avenue. The Bower Center is named for the mother and father of Bedford native, Dr. John Bower, who's generous donation allowed for the purchase of the building in 2005. Dr. Bower's mother Minnie was an avid gardener and his father, Mitchell, was a local businessman, former mayor and tenor in the Bedford Presbyterian Church Choir. The Bower Center has been operating as an arts center since 2006, initially as Bedford Academy for the Arts and following a merger in June 2008 with The Wharton Memorial Foundation, as Bower Center for the Arts.
The Wharton Memorial Foundation dba Bower Center for the Arts exists in part, according to the by-laws, "to promote the cultural arts" in the Bedford area. Since 2006 the Bower Center has worked toward providing a cultural arts center in Bedford and will continue to build upon that foundation to provide an atmosphere of learning and personal growth through entertainment and education in the Visual and Performing Arts.
The building itself has a rich and varied history. In fact, though not apparent upon first glance, the Bower Center is actually comprised of two buildings, with the original structure having been built in 1880. It was originally the home to the Bedford Christian Church, and in fact the performance hall is housed in the old sanctuary and the natural acoustics create a wonderful setting for the performing arts. Since the Bedford Lutheran Church currently rents space from the Wharton Foundation, there are still church services held each Sunday. Much of the Bower Center though has been converted for its primary use as an art center. Exhibit space has been set up on all three levels, with the ground floor housing the primary Gallery Exhibit space as well as the Gallery Shoppe, Class Areas and Studio spaces.