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Our Story

Great things happen when a community comes together with a shared vision. The Perkinson Center is the result of decades of passion, perseverance, generosity, and countless people who believed that the arts have the power to inspire, connect, and enrich lives. Every milestone reflects the dedication of neighbors, leaders, volunteers, and supporters who turned an ambitious dream into a vibrant home for creativity. This is the story of a community that made something extraordinary possible, together.

The Building Board

2014-2020

Thanks to the service of the following board members, the Perkinson Center now exists today:

 

Elizabeth J. Matthews (In loving memory.)

Hugh Cline, Chairman
Sam West, Secretary/Treasurer

Clem Carlisle 
Tam Moody
Gail Letts
Lane Ramsey
Jane J. Baskerville, Ph.D.
George Emerson
Jim Daniels
James A. “Jimmy” Jacobs
PC Amin
C.F. Sonny Currin
Sue Ann Messmer

Amanda King
Brennen Keene (Legal Representative)

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN TOP FINANCIAL DONORS

We are grateful to the citizens of Chesterfield County for supporting this multi-million project. In addition to the county's partnership, many financial donors have played a significant role in the building of the Perkinson Center for the Arts & Education. This campaign concluded in December 2020 and the following patrons contributed $10,000 or more to ensure the construction.
 

$1,000,000+
Chesterfield County
W. Baxter and Elaine Perkinson Jr.
 

$100,000+

Donna Dean Stevens and Jayson Stevens
Mary Morton Parsons Foundation
The Cabell Foundation
WestRock
 

$50,000+
Hugh & Debbie Cline
Cameron Foundation
Mildred House Estate
James A. (Jimmy) Jacobs
In Honor of Joseph and Jacquelin Ukrop
Greg and Linda Gwaltney
 

$20,000+
Family of Dorothy and Larry Armstrong
In Honor of Mr. and Mrs. E. Angus Powell
Lane and Paula Ramsey
J. Dale Patton
Jim Daniels and Courtney Wells
Elizabeth (Betty) Matthews
TowneBank Richmond Foundation
Earle Spencer Jr
George and Darlene Emerson
Phil and Kathy Roper
Una Harrison
Rotary Club of South Richmond
Pramod and Purnima of Shamin Hotels
Family of the Allen Tire Company
C.F. (Sonny) Currin Jr
Friends of Chesterfield County Library
Sam and Anne West
Richard and Monique Smith
Carol & Clarence William | Estes Express Lines
In Honor of Harry J. and Lorraine B Moody
Kiwanis Club of Chester
Rudy L. Hawkins Electrical Contractor
Whiting-Turner Contracting Co.
 

$10,000+
Brad and Frazier Armstrong
Gary and Sherrie Armstrong
Rotary Club of South Richmond Endowment
Darrell and "Boozie" Martin
Dominion Energy
Rotary Club of Chester
Herbert Gill
Bruce Spencer
Lee Hanbury
Clem and Janis Carlisle

Timeline

1955
John Rolfe Players founded
 

1980s
Dorothy Armstrong of the John Rolfe
Players proposes Arts Center adjacent to
Chesterfield County Main Library.
 

1989
Art Center becomes major part of the 1989 Land Use Plan for Chester, Virginia.
 

1996
Library/Arts complex plan split into two phases; first phase to purchase land on the Village Green for the construction of the Chester Library branch and future site of the arts center.
 

2001
Chester Library Built
 

2002
Arts Center Committee of the Chester Community Association formed by Betty Matthews.
 

2003
Chesterfield Center for the Arts Foundation formed as 501(c)(3) non profit corporation to raise funds for the Arts Center.
 

2004
Chesterfield County approves a second bond referendum specifying $6.9M for the Arts Center with construction target date 2010.
 

2007
Letter of Understanding signed with Chesterfield County for foundation to raise $2.4M from private donations toward Arts Center construction.
 

2008
Foundation hired architectural design firm Westlake Reed Leskowsky (WRL) to design concept and model.
 

2008
Economic downturn temporarily halts project.

March 15, 2012
County Administrator Jay Stegmaier addresses letter to CCAF Chair Betty Matthews to pledge Chesterfield’s support for the project.
 

November 2012
Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors passes resolution to declare November as Cultural Arts Awareness Month.
 

Fall 2013
Jay Stegmaier proposed that if the community could raise $1.1M for construction and $600K for operating capital (in cash and pledges) by August 2014, the Board of Supervisors may approve the construction. Hugh Cline agreed to recruit and lead a group of local business and community leaders to raise the necessary funds by August 2014.

November 2014
Fundraising goal met. Board of Supervisors vote to approve the ongoing process of building a first-class arts venue in Chester.
 

A new Board was created that included some of the fundraising committee along with Betty Matthews. Hugh Cline was elected Chairman with Amanda King as Vice Chairman and Sam West as Secretary/Treasurer.


2015
Chesterfield County re-engaged WRL to finish construction drawings. During the design phase WRL merged with DLR with most of the design team staying intact. As the construction costs escalated the project stalled.

In 2017,The Economic Development Authority took over the design and construction. With the final cost of $17M and CCAF increasing community contribution to $2.275M.
 

2016
Dr. Baxter Perkinson Jr. DDS pledges donation to name the Arts Center the Baxter Perkinson Center for the Arts & Education and CCAF updates name to Chesterfield Cultural Arts Foundation.
 

2017
Jayson and Donna Dean Stevens pledge significant donation to name the Jimmy Dean Theater.
 

December 28, 2018

Elizabeth “Betty” Jean Matthews passes after dedicating the last 20 years of her life to building the Art Center. 

Elizabeth “Betty” Jean Matthews
October 24, 1926 - December 28, 2018
 

June 24, 2019
Groundbreaking construction on the Arts Center

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November 2020
CCAF is given occupation of the new center
 

December 2020
Perkinson Center shares a Virtual Grand Opening with the community.
 

June 2021
Pandemic mandates are lifted and Heritage Donors and Supporters celebrate in-person grand opening and ribbon cutting.
 

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“While there are many reasons to invest in a community Arts Center, the CCAF and the County are unified in our singular vision that the arts do enhance the quality of life of all county residents.”

— Jay Stegmaier, 2012

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