Bare Hands, an arts nonprofit focused on education, has acquired a historical church building in the heart of Woodlawn and plans to renovate it as a new arts center.

The former Open Door Outreach Church, on 57th Street across from Woodlawn High School, will be renovated and reopened as Bare Hands Community Arts Center, a project set to begin this year and continue into next year. With a physical space, the organization will be able to expand its classes and workshops, conduct exhibits and performances onsite and partner with community organizations on arts programming.

The organization on Monday kicked off a $1.5 million capital campaign to pay for the renovations.

To date, Bare Hands has largely existed “in the cloud,” Executive Director Aimee Castro said, as it put on pop-up art classes around town and events at other venues. It has not had a true home base.

Castro said Bare Hands leaders had their eye on another space but that didn’t work out. As it turned out, their patience was rewarded.

“We had a space that we were looking at in Woodlawn in 2019, before the pandemic,” Castro said. “It was on First Avenue South and it didn’t check all the boxes. We’re like, ‘We just need a space and we want to be in Woodlawn.

“It didn’t work out, thank God,” she said. “That’s why it didn’t work out because now we have an actual space that checked all the boxes that we’re gonna own and not rent. It’s really exciting.”

The sanctuary space in the former Open Door Outreach Church will become the main area for the arts center, a multi-purpose room where classes can be conducted.

“This would be a space where we can do larger classes and gatherings,” Castro said. “When we say art, we mean all sorts of things, like performance art, culinary art, visual art, everything. I’m hoping that we knock that wall out (on the pulpit) and we can have, possibly, small theatrical things.”

There will be a kitchen, office space, at least three classrooms and an area in the annex for more programs.

The main structure of the old church was built in 1914 and its annex was added in the 1970s.

With an actual home, Bare Hands will expand current classes and workshops to include arts programs and initiatives built with Woodlawn community members, Castro said. It plans collaborations with partners such as Woodlawn United and the four neighborhood associations of the Woodlawn Community.

Additionally, the partnership will stretch into the schools that feed Woodlawn High School. Castro, who teaches English as a second language, said she envisions the new site being a place where people can go and learn language.

“Like making bilingual art classes, for example, and really having, like a cultural dynamic here,” she said.

“The purchase of this property is an exciting milestone for Bare Hands and it demonstrates our dedication to the community. With this space, we can expand our reach and deepen our impact,” Board President Mark Cenczyk said in a press release. “This property is not just a physical space. It represents our long-term commitment to empowering individuals, fostering unity and promoting sustainability in this neighborhood and beyond.”

As the arts organization continues to grow, it remains focused on addressing the unique challenges faced by the community, including economic disparities and social inequities.

“We recognize that strong communities are built on collaboration, and we’re committed to working alongside other organizations, businesses and residents in Woodlawn to foster an environment of growth, support and opportunity for everyone,” Castro said. “This is just the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Bare Hands, and we’re thrilled to see the positive impact this space will have for years to come.

“Now we just need money,” the executive director said. “Fingers crossed.”

You can donate to the renovation of Bare Hands Community Arts Center and get more information about the project on the organization’s website.