You're Invited to an Open House with Friends of Stewart Park and Wharton Studio Museum -- all about the Wharton Studio & Cafe Project
See renderings and drawings of the Wharton Studio & Cafe and meet the project team -- the planners, architects, engineers, landscape architects and designers--behind this next major revitalization project in Stewart Park.
When: Sunday, April 27, 1:00 - 3:00 PM
Where: Ithaca Youth Bureau, 1 James L. Gibbs Drive, Ithaca
The Wharton Studio & Cafe
Friends of Stewart Park and Wharton Studio Museum (WSM) are collaborating to transform the lakefront section of the historic Wharton Studio Building (currently the DPW building) into the Wharton Studio & Café (WS&C). This cultural and recreational destination in Stewart Park will feature a small cafe, gallery space with multimedia exhibits on Ithaca's movie history -- as well as park history -- and terraces overlooking Cayuga Lake. Phase II of the project includes a renovated parking area that can serve as a multi-use Performance Plaza (parking will still be available). The Wharton Studio & Cafe will breathe new life into the former studio building, all the while preserving and highlighting unique local history and creating a vibrant gathering place for the residents and visitors to the area.
The Wharton Studio Building
The Wharton Studio Building is one of the few remaining silent era (early 20th century) motion picture studios in the country. Its restoration will be a key component of the WS&C, and serves as the final project in the overall restoration of Stewart Park’s historic pavilion complex. The Wharton Studio Museum will continue to offer educational programs as its been doing since 2011, and will curate all the exhibits in the WS&C’s gallery space, allowing visitors to learn about the region's role in early American filmmaking.
The Wharton Studio & Cafe will give visitors a place to enjoy the park even when the weather isn't ideal for being outdoors. There will be WiFi, phone charging, and bathroom facilities. The café, exhibit spaces, and lakeside terraces can also host live music events, private parties, or film-related workshops, drawing Ithacans and visitors to the park.
This is a family-friendly event -- there will be a film-related craft for kids -- and we look forward to seeing you!
Join us on Saturday, April 27th at 2pm at IYB!
