By Mike Arcand
In a town already known for its thriving arts scene and small-town charm, the Winnsboro Center for the Arts (WCA) is taking another major step forward with the development of its new Creative Learning Center in downtown Winnsboro.
The new 10,000-square-foot facility represents far more than additional classroom space. It is the next phase of a long-term vision to make arts education, cultural experiences, and creative collaboration a central part of life in East Texas. For longtime supporters of the arts center, the expansion is both practical and deeply personal.
Founded in 2001 as the Trails Country Center for the Arts, the organization was originally designed to serve a much broader regional audience than Winnsboro alone. “This really was a forward-thinking group of founders,” said Mary White, president of the board and volunteer executive director of the arts center. “Al Stillman clearly was the visionary who had the idea.” White explained that the early founders envisioned a cultural destination that would draw people from surrounding counties and become a creative hub for Northeast Texas. That ambitious spirit continues today.
A Vision Years in the Making
White returned to Winnsboro in 2014 after a career in the biotech industry in the Boston area. A scientist by training and musician at heart, she said the opportunity to help grow the arts in her hometown immediately appealed to her.
“When I came back, I learned that an art center had been founded here, and so it was very interesting, and I was eager to find out more,” White said.
At the time, the arts center was already offering classes and programming, but space limitations made it difficult to fully develop the educational side of the organization. “We began trying to expand educational programs, but space was a big issue,” White explained.
The organization eventually rented additional downtown space to accommodate growing classes, but demand quickly outpaced availability. That led to discussions about building a dedicated education facility. Originally, plans focused on a different downtown lot, but after a former steakhouse on Market Street burned down, the City of Winnsboro donated the current property to the arts center—a move White described as a turning point for the project.
“We really liked the idea of staying downtown,” White said. “If we could actually expand here, then we could keep building around the center we already had.”
A Creative Hub for All Ages
The new Creative Learning Center has been designed with flexibility in mind. The building includes spaces for ceramics, glassworks, visual arts, music instruction, workshops, community events, and eventually artist residencies. Downstairs, ceramics and glassworks studios are expected to become some of the most popular areas in the building.
“There’s a lot of interest in ceramics,” White said. “People think working with clay is therapeutic. Some come casually, and others are very serious about it.”
The center plans to implement membership-based studio access, allowing artists and hobbyists to continue using equipment outside formal classes after completing training sessions. The glassworks area will support mosaics and stained glass projects, providing local artists with access to expensive equipment and dedicated workspace that many cannot easily maintain at home.
Upstairs, the center includes classrooms for painting, drawing, watercolor, acrylics, and mixed media, along with music studios and a large multipurpose room capable of hosting everything from workshops and rehearsals to dances and community events. That room is already serving the arts community. Winnsboro’s community choir—which White says includes between 30 and 40 members—has begun rehearsing there.
The building is also expected to play a major role in youth programming. “We hope eventually to have drop-in activities in the children’s rooms,” White said. “You’re downtown, the kids are getting restless, and you can stop by the arts center to see what project they have going on.”
Looking Toward the Future
Even with the opening of the Creative Learning Center, the organization’s long-term plans are still evolving. White said the arts center continues working toward a future performance hall and expanded gallery spaces. The organization has already acquired additional downtown property that could eventually allow visitors to walk through multiple connected buildings without ever stepping outside.
Future concepts include culinary classes, artist residencies, expanded gallery space, and gathering areas where residents and visitors can simply enjoy spending time downtown.
“We’re not on 27 acres,” White said with a laugh, referencing founder Al Stillman’s original vision, “but we’re still following along that vision.”
A formal grand opening celebration for the Creative Learning Center is planned for September 19, 2026 as part of the organization’s 25th anniversary celebration.
Why the Arts Matter
For White, however, the real value of the new center goes far beyond bricks and mortar. “One thing that I think more and more people are appreciating is that exposure to the creative process really helps guide your thinking process,” she said. “You start thinking in creative ways, and that can apply to business models or anything else.”
She also pointed to growing research showing the positive impact arts education can have on children and communities. “There are studies that show children who have had regular art classes are less likely to be incarcerated as teens,” White noted. “It gives them a creative outlet.”
That belief in the power of creativity continues to shape the organization’s mission and its future. The arts center’s tagline says it best: “Embrace the spirit of creativity.” With the opening of the new WCA Creative Learning Center, that spirit now has even more room to grow in downtown Winnsboro. You can learn more about the Winnsboro Center for The Arts on the WCA website, or follow the WCA on the organization’s Facebook page.