Contact:
Kate Freeman
PRACO
(719) 476-4923
kate@praco.com

FAC Modern Opens in Plaza of the Rockies

Colorado Springs, CO (March 9, 2006)  The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center is privileged to announce the opening of FAC Modern located in the Plaza of the Rockies, lobby level of the South Tower, at Tejon Street and Colorado Blvd. in Colorado Springs. The new facility will open on Saturday, April 15 with a photographic exhibition by the legendary Annie Leibovitz of Rolling Stone fame.  

The public is invited to the opening celebration of the FAC Modern on Saturday, April 15, 2006 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Admission for FAC members is free; $10 for non-members. For more information regarding the event, please call 719.634.5581.
 
The Fine Arts Center has entered into an agreement with Nor’wood Development Group to occupy an 8,000 square foot  space which will house museum galleries, a Museum Shop, and a restaurant and lounge.

“The generosity of Nor’wood Development Group has made the FAC Modern financially feasible and is another example of that company’s commitment to the arts,” comments FAC President and CEO Dr. Michael DeMarsche. “This magnificent gift is an important step for the city of Colorado Springs and the character of the downtown area,” DeMarsche continues.  

“Nor’wood is committed to paving the way for a vibrant, thriving city center that draws people from near and far,” said Nor’wood Principal and FAC Board Member Chris Jenkins. “We’re excited to help create this opportunity for downtown Colorado Springs to enhance its cultural assets and continue its momentum in becoming Colorado’s destination for the arts.”

The FAC Modern provides a stunning venue enabling the Fine Arts Center to continue its world-class exhibition schedule and retain, if not augment, its burgeoning membership. Generally, museums experience up to a 50 percent decline in membership during major construction. Upcoming exhibitions at the FAC Modern include Annie Leibovitz from April 15 through May 14, James McNeill Whistler from May 27 through August 20 and the recently-purchased works of Dale Chihuly in the fall of 2006. 

THE SHOW WILL GO ON!

Theatre performances will continue without skipping a beat, in the elegantly renovated SaGaJi Theatre located in the original Fine Arts Center located at 30 West Dale Street.  The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged runs from March 24 through April 9 followed by Pirates of Penzance from May 12 through June 4. Youth Rep, Youth Rep Jr. and performing arts educational programming will continue as always.

Bemis School of Art will continue to offer a wide variety of classes for adults and children in its current location.

About Nor’wood Development Group
Founded in 1978, Nor’wood Development Group is a private, closely held company with demonstrated success across a wide spectrum of real estate projects: master planned communities, office and industrial developments, retail and mixed-use properties exclusively in the Colorado Springs area.  Current projects include Nor’wood and Wolf Ranch master planned communities, Plaza of the Rockies, First & Main Town Center, Alamo Corporate Center, Mesa Ridge in Fountain, Powers Autopark, and Palmer Village.  Plans are underway for a mixed-use building downtown dubbed Pikes Peak Place that will include office, retail, residential, parking and public space.

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