The Carnegie Visual and Performing Arts Center in Covington is back in business. Almost a year after the doors closed for a $1.7 million renovation, the Carnegie has scheduled a series of “welcome back” events starting in May.

        A concert version of family-friendlymusical Finian's Rainbow will debut the building, and its new box office, May 17-19.

        Emphasis will continue on family June 2 with “Everyone Is an Artist,” an afternoon featuring five media stations for all ages.

        The building, which celebrates its centennial this year, has been used as an arts center since 1974. It will be re-dedicated on June 14, when the galleries re-open with a show of totems, pottery and folk art by local artists that will continue through the summer.

        Executive director Mary Anne Wehrend and staff were moving back into the building last week, after final building inspections and spring cleaning. The Carnegie (1028 Scott Blvd.) now has an elevator and expanded restrooms, making the center disabled accessible for the first time.

        The Carnegie's focus will continue to be on children, and the center's popular Art Stop program will resume June 10 with “A Child's Eye View: Seeing Islamic Culture through the Arts.”

        “We're very excited,” Mrs. Wehrend says. “We're partnering with the Islamic Education Council in West Chester. There will be a video component that will be made available to area schools.”

        Kentucky Heritage: Live at the Carnegie will be an academic-year series that will bring performing artists from throughout Kentucky to the Carnegie for school performances.

        Renovation plans for the theater have been indefinitely postponed. “That is the component that hasn't been addressed yet,” Mrs. Wehrend says. She expects the theater will be available to presenting companies for the 2002-2003 season. For information call Mrs. Wehrend at (859) 491-2030.

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