Columbiana is the ideal location for a fine arts center, which is already in operation on Mildred Street. But to fully reach its potential, the center needs to be expanded.

After all, Columbiana is the county seat of Shelby County. While the north end of the county continues to grow, Columbiana is the location of the current County Courthouse and the old County Courthouse, which houses the Shelby County Historical Society and Archives.

Columbiana is also home to the Karl C. Harrison Museum of George Washington and the headquarters of the Harrison Regional Library System.

There is a group of people who would like to see the Fine Arts Center located in Columbiana be expanded to include a 450-seat studio theater, two dance rooms, two art rooms, a music room, gallery, kitchen, darkroom, offices and pottery kiln.

We hope things will work out that a suitable site can be located for such an expansion. It would not only add to the culture of Columbiana, but also give other residents of the county yet another reason to visit their county seat.

Columbiana could be the cultural center of Shelby County.

The city of Columbiana is currently in negotiations with a representative of Bew White, owner of the Summer Classics property downtown.

If such a site could be secured, it would put the Fine Arts Center in close proximity to the other facilities frequented by the public such as the two courthouses, the museum and the libraries, creating something of a central hub of activity