The public is invited to join Arts!Longview on Thursday, March 10, for the reopening
of the historic Longview Community Center, which will celebrate its debut with an opening night
performance of the play “Crimes of the Heart” by Theatre Longview.
“We are so proud to play a role in bringing live performances back to the Longview Community Center,”
Arts!Longview Executive Director Christina Cavazos said. “This historic building is a true gem in our
community. Many people have treasured memories of theater performances, concerts, receptions,
showers, birthday parties and so much more in this building. We are excited to welcome the public back
to the Longview Community Center on March 10.”
Arts!Longview will host a come-and-go reception from 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. Thursday, March 10, at the
Longview Community Center, 500 E. Whaley St. Complimentary refreshments will be served.
The first event at the Longview Community Center will be Theatre Longview’s performance of “Crimes of
the Heart,” which is slated for shows March 10-13. The play will open at 7:30 p.m. March 10 after
Arts!Longview’s opening reception for the Community Center. Tickets are available in advance through
Theatre Longview and will be available prior to performances at the Longview Community Center’s box
office.
Efforts to reopen the Longview Community Center came about as a collaborative partnership between
Gregg County and Arts!Longview. As part of an agreement with the county, Arts!Longview took over
management of the Longview Community Center in late 2021. Gregg County has provided many
enhancements, such as repainting the lobby, parlor, dressing rooms, and several other areas of the
building, to prepare it for reopening.
“We are incredibly grateful for this partnership with Gregg County. This partnership is great for
Arts!Longview and our founding arts organizations but also for the county as a whole as we work to
make the Longview Community Center available to the general public for rentals at reasonable rates,”
Cavazos said. “We are excited to bring renewed life and energy to this building and believe it goes a long
way toward furthering our mission to spark a love for the arts, history and culture in our community.”
Arts!Longview is a nonprofit organization that oversees the city’s 320-acre state-designated
Arts!Longview Cultural District. The district encompasses downtown Longview and stretches south along
Mobberly Avenue to LeTourneau University, which is home to the Belcher Center.
The Longview Community Center, which is part of the Arts!Longview Cultural District, includes a 259-
seat auditorium, stage with an orchestra pit, kitchen, dining room and meeting spaces. The Community
Center opened in 1940 and has been a recorded Texas Historical Landmark since 1994.
To learn more about Arts!Longview, visit www.artslongview.org.