Welcome ToCain Center for the Arts
the Lake Norman region’s new home for inspiration, creativity, and community.
History
In 2013, the Town of Cornelius began to recognize the need for an arts and cultural venue to revitalize and enrich the community through the arts and all the benefits of arts education. As a direct result, the town voted to allocate $4 million out of a $20 Million municipal bond to create an arts district and in 2017 invested additional support by purchasing the 1.85 acres where Cain Center for the Arts will be built. Through a four-year strategic planning process, conducted by an investigative committee appointed by the Town of Cornelius, a non-profit organization was created to anchor the public-private partnership between the Center and the Town of Cornelius.
Executive Director Justin Dionne was hired in 2017 and in the fall of 2018, the board and leadership launched the quiet phase of a $25 million campaign. A transformational gift from local philanthropists Ericka and Bill Cain led to the center’s permanent name: Cain Center for the Arts.
OurTeam
staff
justin
dionne
executive
director
Justin has been a proud member of the Cain Center for the Arts team since inception. He has spent more than 10 years leading non-profit arts organizations with over 15 years in the arts sector. In his career thus far, he has helped to build multiple cultural facilities and organizations, including the Cain Center. Justin studied at Catawba College and Florida State University. He and his family are proud to call the Lake Norman Region their home.
megan
king
program
director
Megan King comes to Cain Center for the Arts with extensive experience in the arts and entertainment space. A graduate of Hofstra University in New York with a dual focus in Vocal Performance and Music Business, she has spent years in both the corporate and non-profit sector. After leading the west coast touring operations at Piedmont Talent, Megan most recently spent 10 years at Blumenthal Performing Arts in Charlotte as the Programming and Event Manager, leading teams through Broadway shows, concerts, festivals, and other special events. In her downtime, Megan enjoys traveling, singing, crafting, and spending time with her husband and fur-baby, Jynx.
perry
mixter
development
director
Perry joined the Cain Center staff just as he was about to retire after a 42-year career in arts administration and fund development. He has degrees from Denison University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Bolz Center for Arts Administration. His career journey has included leadership positions with the Winston-Salem Symphony, Appalachian State’s Office of Cultural Affairs, the Chapman Cultural Center in Spartanburg, SC, and a variety of leadership roles at the Arts & Science Council in Charlotte, NC. He is delighted and honored to postpone his retirement to help build and support the Cain Center for the Arts.
anita
overcash
development
associate
Originally from Cornelius, NC, Anita is thrilled that a new arts center is coming to the Lake Norman region. She is a graduate of University of North Carolina at Charlotte and worked for more than decade as an editor and writer who covered stories on arts & entertainment. In her free time, she loves to write; travel; go to concerts, theater, and gallery shows; and spend time with her family.
Board of Directors
Greg Wessling
president
The Lake Norman Company
Pat Bechdol
vice president
Deloitte Consulting (retired)
Bill Ward
treasurer
Community Volunteer
Cynthia Bush
secretary
UNC Charlotte Faculty Member
Denis Bilodeau
Commissioner – Town of Cornelius
Jean Bock
Community Volunteer
Troy Stafford
DeVore, Acton & Stafford, P.A.
Steve Brumm
Brumm Properties
Joshua Dobi
North Main Financial Group
Kate Gaither
Newport Properties
Ginger Griffin
Royal Bliss Brewing Co.
Donna Johnson
Community Volunteer
Bill Morgan
Morgan Associates
Caroline Mullan
Community Volunteer
Paul Newton
Newton Construction Services
Woody Washam
Mayor – Town of Cornelius
Susan Wolff
Community Volunteer