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 Dionne is now in his second year as Executive Director of Cain Center for the Arts. Originally from Salisbury, NC, Justin attended Catawba College for Undergraduate studies and Florida State University for Graduate School. He has spent over 10 years in the arts industry with 8 of them in the nonprofit sector. While in Salisbury he helped to build the Norvell Theater and then went on to spearhead efforts to renovate a 1920’s warehouse into a performing arts center which became Lee Street Theater. Along with serving communities, Justin is a passionate about his family, bourbon, travel, the Carolina Panthers, and the Florida State Seminoles. Justin and his family reside in Cornelius.
anita
overcash
development
associate
Anita Overcash joined Cain Center for the Arts in 2017 as Administrative & Marketing Assistant. Originally from Cornelius, NC, she is thrilled that a new arts center is coming to the Lake Norman region. Anita is a graduate of University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and worked for almost a decade at alt weekly Creative Loafing Charlotte where she primarily covered arts & entertainment. In her free time, she loves to write, travel, go to concerts, theater, and gallery shows, and spend time with her family. Anita and her husband live in Huntersville.
Board of Directors
Greg Wessling
president
The Lake Norman Company
Pat Bechdol
vice president
Deloitte Consulting (retired)
Troy Stafford
treasurer
Devore, Acton & Stafford, P.A.
Cynthia Bush
secretary
UNC Charlotte Faculty Member
Denis Bilodeau
Commissioner – Town of Cornelius
Jean Bock
Community Volunteer
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
Bill Ward
Community Volunteer
Woody Washam
Mayor – Town of Cornelius