Lexington, KY - Phil and Marnie Hololubek, young parents, active in the community, had a lot going on in their lives. So they made a decision: "laser focus" their time, energies and resources only on community initiatives that show real promise of making a positive difference to Lexington and all those who call it home.
That simple and clear criteria for civic engagement led the couple to a project in the city's East End neighborhood: a plan to more than double the space of the Living Arts & Science Center (LASC) on Martin Luther King Boulevard - the latest of recent proposals to breathe new economic, cultural and social life into Lexington's Northside and East End neighborhoods.
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Speaking at a Nov. 16 rollout of the Center's capital campaign, co-chair Holoubek touched on the additional facilities envisioned in an adjoining 10,000 square foot structure designed by the Louisville firm DeLeon & Primmer Architecture Workshop.
"Part of this $5 million dollar capital campaign is going to create a new planetarium. We're going to have a digital media center, not just working on photos but also creating films, movies, that sort of thing. There is going to be a recording arts studio. We're going to have a children's gallery. When you display childrens' art in a big public space it creates this intangible sense of pride that they're worthy and that their work is important. And finally, there's going to be a teaching kitchen in this new facility."
Holoubek, who is sharing the capital campaign leadership role with his wife, and Honorary Chair Gloria Singletary, indicated that partnerships would be sought with community groups focusing on healthy, locally-grown foods. "We're trying to create healthy lifestyles, educate people on healthy diets," he said. "One of the missing pieces to close that loop has been a teaching kitchen."
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Momentum to fund the expansion got a major boost in May when the Center received a $1 million matching grant from the Lucille Caudill Little Foundation. $300,000 in matching funds have been raised, to date. Direct dollar-for-dollar matching contributions to the campaign can be made online at
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LASC Executive Director Heather Lyons said a steady annual increase in demand for services has exceeded the Center's current physical space, a 7,000 square foot brick antebellum mansion built by Abraham Lincoln's attorney, George B. Kinkead, in 1847. Last year alone, schools from 22 counties brought students to the Center which annually presents more than 400 art classes and workshops for children 18 months-old to adults. The facility houses more than half a dozen art exhibits in a given year and offers participatory field trips for over 6000 students.
"I think it's brilliant," said Lexington Mayor Jim Gray.
"This project is an example of great urban planning and great architecture that respects the character of the historic neighborhood and lifts it up.
This is extremely exciting."
LASC is located within walking distance of the recently renovated Lyric Theater.
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For a look at the LASC expansion plans online,
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