Cultures, Humanities, and Arts on the Iron Range (CHAIR) is celebrating its grand opening at 510 Chestnut Street in downtown Virginia on Friday, May 2 starting at 5:30 p.m. The event features an artist open house for the annual Open Water exhibit (celebrating the new life spring offers), ribbon cutting at 6:30 p.m., special performance by select member of CHAIR’s production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid 7 p.m., FREE concert by PK Mayo at 7:30 p.m., and disco dance party at 9 p.m.

Formerly the Laurentian Arts and Culture Alliance/Lyric Center for the Arts (founded in 1998), the organization’s name and mission has been changed as part of a long-term strategic plan.

CHAIR’s motto, to provide a seat for everyone on the Iron Range.

Our important work continues... free arts opportunities for kids, youth theatre programming (currently 70 3-12 graders are rehearsing for a production of Disney’s The LIttle Mermaid that will run the final weekend in May at Mountain-Iron Buhl schools), Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) outreach programs, collaborations with Range Iron Pride, music lessons, art exhibits, concerts and recitals, yoga, mental health collaborations, educational opportunities, and serving as a welcoming and safe destination for locals and tourists alike in downtown Virginia.