History

Thanks to a generous donation by the Woodcock Foundation, the Woodcock Ceramic Studio was built in the late 1990s and opened in 2000. Prior to that, ceramics classes were held in the Bruce House basement. To make way for the new studio, the Beuchner Gallery and a visual arts classroom were relocated to the Drake House. The Woodcock Ceramics Studio provides a bright, clean space for exploring ceramic arts. It features ten pottery wheels, including a fully wheelchair accessible wheel, several portable wheels, a slab roller, an extruder, a pug mill, a glazing area, an electric kiln, and two portable raku firing kilns.

The Drake House was built in 1865 and named for James A. Drake, who owned the home from 1893 to 1902. Drake served as president of First National Bank and founded MD Walker and Co., later known as Corning Building Company. The latter continues to shape Corning’s physical development and helped supply materials for the center’s renovation.

Drake sold the house in 1902, and it was converted into affordable multi-family housing, which helped bring many new residents to Corning. By the 1990s, however, the building fell into disrepair and was sold at auction to Market Street Restoration Agency.

Together, Market Street Restoration and Steuben Church People decided to renovate and use the property as a shelter. An arsonist, however, set fire to the building, destroying the rear portion and severely damaging the roof. The City of Corning planned to demolish the structure, but a Market Street Restoration board member donated roofing material, and the 171 Cedar Arts Board of Directors purchased the property. Cedar Arts began capital fundraising and invited Boston firm Ann Beha & Associates to develop renovation plans.

The Drake House was originally designed in the Gothic Revival style with influences from the Stick style popular after the Civil War. The original structure featured a slate roof and floor-to-ceiling windows. Like the Bruce House, the Drake House had beautiful fireplace surrounds, two of which were restored. The architects preserved the feel of the home’s original exterior, but the interior was redesigned in a contemporary, functional style, all while maintaining the building’s historic features and homey charm.

The Drake House features a dance and fitness studio, a community theater that seats up to 120, a large ensemble room for choral and theater rehearsals, classrooms for language and private music classes, and the Houghton gallery.

Since it first opened in 1968, 171 Cedar Arts Center has served as a warm, friendly home for the arts. Whether exhibiting local artists or offering classes to the community, 171 continues to provide unique opportunities for experiencing and creating art.

With the help of its many supporters, 171 Cedar Arts Center has grown into an award-winning multi-arts organization featuring exceptional arts instruction, contemporary exhibitions in the Houghton Gallery, and live performances in the Drake House Studio Theater and in the community. 171 is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, making the arts accessible to everyone.