World-renowned glass artists. Award-winning musical acts. Professional theatre productions.
GLASS National Art Museum
The GLASS National Art Museum is home to the permanent collection of work by internationally-known artist Stephen Rolfe Powell, who is widely recognized as a hot glass master of color. Opened in late 2023, the museum’s goal was to keep Powell’s collection intact and to share it with the public, along with works by other prominent artists like Dale Chihuly and Lino Tagliapietra. Pro tip: Don’t miss the many works on display upstairs! And if you enjoy Powell’s work, stop by the Boyle County Public Library – just two blocks away – to see his stunning, multihued pendant display inside the building’s main entrance, as well as the memorial garden and outdoor classroom dedicated to Powell and located outside the Norton Center on the Centre College campus.
Art Center of the Bluegrass
Located next door to the GLASS National Art Museum, the Art Center offers a variety of art exhibits, classes, workshops and more. Want to have a hands-on art experience or a private art party? This is the place. How about date night pottery or a group event? They can do that too.
Norton Center for the Arts
ZZ Top. Alison Krauss. Dolly Parton. Vienna Philharmonic. Shanghai Ballet. Yo-Yo Ma. Willie Nelson. These are just a few of the performers who have taken the stage at the Norton Center during its 50-year history, bringing world-class entertainment to Danville. Each season, a new slate of live music, theatre, and other acts are scheduled for the Norton Center, bringing up to 1,500 people to the campus of Center College each time to experience these performances.
Pioneer Playhouse
Live, summer stock theatre under the stars, dating back 75 years. That’s what you’ll find at the Pioneer Playhouse. Actors like John Travolta, Lee Majors, Bo Hopkins, and Jim Varney have spent time on the stage here, entertaining crowds during the playhouse’s June to August season. Come see the show (they do three each summer) beginning nightly at 8:30 p.m. – Tuesdays-Saturdays – or come at 7 p.m. for the pre-show dinner, then socialize and enjoy a beverage until it is time for the actors to take the stage.
Downtown Public Art
Throughout downtown Danville, and on the adjacent Centre College campus, you can find 16 pieces of contemporary public art, including murals, mosaics, sculptures and more. They are spread out over several blocks, but they are easy to find by picking up a printed copy of the Public Art Map at the Art Center or the Visitors Center at Constitution Square.
Community Galleries and Local Art
If you are interested in seeing and buying works by local artists, events like gallery hops downtown and the Constitution Square Festival in the fall are perfect opportunities. You can also stop in at Maple Tree Gallery on Main Street to see their latest works or make your own creations during an evening with friends at Paint Parties.
West T. Hill Community Theatre
The West T. Hill Community Theatre — named in honor of its founder, a former chairman of the Dramatic Arts Department at Centre College — is a cozy space that hosts a variety of plays and special events throughout the year. Some past productions have included the Addams Family Musical, Guys and Doll, Jr, and The Diary of Anne Frank.
