Our Mission!
West Art is a place where art, music, and community collide in extraordinary ways. We commit to passionately promote local arts and artists of all kinds, and to provide a safe space for community gatherings and education. We will become an incubator for creativity and connection that serves and strengthens our community.
Our Vision!
West Art is a living room for Lancaster and a sanctuary for all things art. We will be a hub for artists of all kinds to connect, collaborate and exhibit their work as we provide open studio and gallery space. As a community center, we will provide a safe and welcoming space for gatherings of all kinds: music and theater shows, movie nights, educational classes, a place to vote, and so much more. We will be a launching pad for local organizations as we provide space and collaborate with many of Lancaster’s non-profits that are already doing very important work in our city!
The Big Picture: Art, Community, Coffee
West Art will be equal parts art cooperative, venue for anything art related and a community center. The building is 15,000 square feet and made up of several large rooms, two of which have stages. These spaces will be tied together literally and metaphorically by a neighborhood coffee bar that will also house our art cooperative.
Meet the friends, neighbors, innovators, and co-founders behind West Art .
Rufus Deakin
Born and bred in London, Rufus was a professional chef for 17 years, running kitchens in London and Australia. In 2001 he met his wife, a Lancaster native, when she applied to work at the restaurant in London where he was the head chef. After renovating several unique homes in in the UK, Spain, and Lancaster they are happy to be settled in Lancaster, near West Art. His wife is now a successful jeweler, and he is a consultant for restaurants when not working to launch West Art.
Born and raised in Lancaster County, Josh has spent the last fifteen years living in Lancaster city (and maybe definitely falling in love with it along the way!). He’s become part of the fabric of Lancaster, especially involved in the music scene through playing and hosting shows. After college, he spent a brief time working in HR and has now been self-employed for almost fifteen years completing home renovations in and around Lancaster City. As a committed community investor, this project is born out of his passion for building community and connection in his favorite city. He lives just down the block from West Art with his family.