OCEAN CITY -- The Art League of Ocean City has been awarded a $25,0000 grant from the PNC Foundation to name the upstairs community/classroom in the new Ocean City Center for the Arts building.

The new art center is scheduled to have its ribbon cutting and grand opening reception on Friday, March 1 at 4:30 p.m. An opening art reception from 5-7 p.m. featuring acclaimed artist Patrick Henry as well as artwork by local artists will follow the ribbon cutting.

A result of a public private partnership between the non-profit Art League of Ocean City, the Town of Ocean City, the State of Maryland, Worcester County and many private citizens and businesses, the new art center will serve the entire spectrum of the community from young children to senior citizens. It will be an added amenity to the resort economy and will be enjoyed by visitors as well as residents, according to officials.

Ocean City Center for the Arts Executive Director Rina Thaler expressed gratitude to PNC Foundation for their support.

“We are looking forward to working with the PNC Foundation to provide much needed children’s art programming in the new art center,” she said. “We will be holding a variety of classes and art experiences for children of all ages including classes in painting, pottery as well as our art adventure summer camp.”

The grant from the PNC Foundation, which receives its principal funding from the PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., will allow the Ocean City Center for the Arts to offer classes as well as space for community groups to meet in a beautiful setting.

“The Ocean City Center for the Arts will be a source of pride for the community and a cultural amenity for the region,” said Jennifer Joseph, PNC Market Executive on the Eastern Shore. “Our investment represents a commitment to the rich, cultural energy that has distinguished Ocean City and furthers our investment in school readiness through the arts.”

The PNC Foundation focuses its philanthropic mission on early childhood education and community and economic development, which includes the arts and culture.