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22 SPRING 2019 PRAIRIE FUSION - ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT PRAIRIE FUSION MERGES VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS A new day is dawning on the Portage la Prairie arts scene. The Portage & District Arts Centre and the William Glesby Centre theatre have joined forces and will now be known as Prairie Fusion - Arts and Entertainment while the building from which the new entity will continue to operate will simply be called The Glesby Centre. Margaret Bernhardt-Lowdon, executive director, says it only made sense for the two organizations to amalgamate as they weren't in competition with each other. "Together we can become a true hub for Portage," she said. The merger process began two years ago and only finished up earlier this year after the new moniker was selected from more than 100 entries. The new name had to meet certain criteria, including capturing the organization's desire to create a centre of excellence for both the performing and visual arts in Portage la Prairie and the surrounding area; matching their vision of an exciting and vibrant hub that focuses on the arts; and recognizing their rich history. The Glesby Centre's signature space is the theatre, which seats 418 people, but there's also a dance studio, a pottery studio, a classroom, three galleries and a gift shop. The family of William (Bill) Glesby provided the majority of funding to build the centre in the 1980s, Bernhardt-Lowdon says, and they are still quite involved today, particularly his daughter, Erla. Glesby came to Portage la Prairie in 1944 and quickly established a reputation as an entrepreneur in the garment industry. He later branched out into a number of other business ventures. A long-time philanthropist in the community, he died in 1996 at the age of 79. To sock some money away for the newly-formed organization, the centre held a fundraiser on May 24 called "Eat, Sip and Bid." The staff at Prairie Fusion also hope to increase the size of its membership. Annual dues are $25 for adults, $45 for families, $20 for students and $75 for groups. Benefits include free admission to the galleries, discounts on all classes and workshops as well as discounts on tickets to select performances and art supplies. Members also receive first notification of upcoming exhibit openings and other events. One other change: The building is owned by the City of Portage la Prairie and it will now be responsible for all maintenance, which will free up more of the centre's money to be put towards programs and events. A third tenant in the building, Community Futures Heartland, will remain in its current ocation. ■

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