VisArt purchases former Fan Tastic Thrift building

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The Visual Arts Center of Richmond (VisArts) recently purchased the building where Fan Tastic Thrift was previously located.

On Thursday, Jan. 22, VisArt, a nonprofit arts center created in 1963, announced that it purchased the building that used to house Fan Tastic Thrift in Richmond.

The new building, located at 1914 W. Main St., is one block away from VisArt's current home at 1812 W. Main St., the nonprofit said.

VisArt purchased the building to better accommodate the expansion of its art program, but will still use the original building as its headquarters.

“When we saw this opportunity, we couldn’t pass it up," said VisArts' executive director Jordan Roeder. "Our classes and community programs have doubled over the past 15 years. Although we are a group of creative people, it’s been a challenge to find creative solutions at our current location. By expanding our urban campus down Main Street, we can better meet the demand from Richmonders to improve access to our programs, regardless of background, age or skill level, and truly work to make art for all.” 

VisArt purchased the spacious building for $3.2 million with the help of an anonymous donor.

“We have been dreaming and planning to expand for 10 years now, all the way back to when we wrote our last strategic plan, and it means the world to have support from our community to make this dream a reality,” Roeder said.

The building was originally built in 1975. VisArt has hired the architectural design firm, 3North, to convert the facility for better classroom, exhibition and office space.

“Main Street has been VisArts’ home for 40 years,” said Jeff Wilson, chair of the VisArts Board of Directors. “It’s our responsibility to ensure that we can sustain VisArts’ growth over the next 40 years and beyond. We couldn’t have asked for better timing to take this next step with the purchase of this new property.”

A timeline for the reconstruction has not been announced.