Dove Block Project
Geneva, Ontario County, NY
The Dove Block, a three-story Victorian brick landmark built in the 1870s, has long anchored downtown Geneva. The building’s cultural significance deepened in the 1930s when artist Arthur Dove, widely considered the first American abstractionist, and his wife, Helen Torr, made their home and studio on its third floor. From this vantage point overlooking Seneca Lake, Dove created some of his most celebrated works, including Red Sun, which inspired the logo for today’s Dove Block Project.
Over the decades, the building housed businesses and community gatherings, but like many small-town structures, it fell into decline by the early 21st century. Its revival began when Elizabeth Wenman, Jeanette Nelson, and Claudia Coen rescued it from demolition in 2006. Later, Professor Jim Spates and the Dove Block Restoration Group undertook a painstaking restoration, completed in 2021. With the building stabilized and renewed, a new vision emerged: transforming the space into a community arts center dedicated to Arthur Dove’s legacy and to nurturing the visual arts in the Finger Lakes.
The Spark
While the physical restoration laid the groundwork, the true spark came from the recognition that Geneva’s vibrant arts culture lacked a strong home for visual art. Inspired by Dove’s pioneering spirit, community members envisioned a space that would not only honor history but also spark new creativity. Thus, the Dove Block Project was born, a grassroots effort to create a welcoming, inclusive arts hub where exhibitions, workshops, and performances would be free and open to all.
The Project
The Dove Block Project began with little more than an unfinished space, dusty floors, exposed utilities, and brick debris, but also with immense community will. Led by a dedicated board and volunteers, the team took a “start with what we have” approach: sweeping floors, stringing lights, and hosting exhibitions in raw space to test the community’s appetite for a visual arts center.
Creative, participatory projects became part of the renovation itself. Local artists designed a paint-by-number floor mural completed by community members. A micro-theater was built out with donated seats sold as fundraisers. Architect Jessica Vaughn guided phased renovations, supported by grants from the New York State Council for the Arts, the Rochester Area Community Foundation, Ontario County, and other philanthropic partners.
Today, the Dove Block Project is a lively arts center hosting more than 100 events annually. It remains primarily volunteer-run, with one part-time arts administrator, and continues to pursue funding for staffing, programming, and long-term sustainability.
Equity and Inclusion
From the outset, equity has been a guiding principle. All programs are free and open to the public, eliminating economic barriers. Supplies are provided for workshops and camps, ensuring accessibility regardless of background. The center keeps regular open hours with docents to greet visitors, further demystifying the arts.
​​​​
Reflections
For board members and volunteers, the Dove Block Project has been transformative. One leader reflected that the experience “has amplified my understanding and commitment to community engaged work,” teaching lessons in fundraising, programming, advocacy, and collaboration. The project has fostered a deep sense of stewardship and pride, not just in the building, but in the broader Geneva community.​​​​​​​​
Outcomes and Benefits
1
Enhanced downtown Geneva’s cultural and economic vitality through steady activation of a historic cornerstone
4
Built strong partnerships with schools, nonprofits, and arts organizations across the region
2
Created free access to over 100 annual events, including exhibitions, workshops, camps, and performances
5
Transformed a deteriorating historic structure into a vibrant community arts hub
3
Provided paid opportunities for artists and teachers while removing financial barriers for participants
Community Impact
The Dove Block has become a gathering place where the arts are accessible to all. Programming includes:
-
Art Exhibitions and Workshops for all ages
-
Youth Art Camps and teen-focused opportunities
-
Sunday Cinema and Poetry Readings in the micro-theater
-
Special Events like film festivals, lectures, and the annual Dove Celebration
-
Community Collaborations with schools, libraries, and local arts groups
Visitors are welcomed into a space that is intentionally warm and open: free admission, supplies provided, and even complimentary coffee and Dove chocolates. In addition to the joy of art, the Project provides a symbolic sense of place—demonstraing how history, creativity, and community stewardship can transform a downtown.
Lessons Learned / Transferable Insights
The Dove Block Project embodies Arthur Dove’s experimental spirit, showing that art and community flourish through creativity, risk-taking, and collaboration. What was once a crumbling landmark is now a thriving cultural cornerstone—an accessible space for exhibitions, performances, and community gatherings. Rooted in history yet forward-looking, the Dove Block Project is proving Plato’s maxim, often quoted by founder Jim Spates: each person has a responsibility to do something uplifting in the place they live. In Geneva, the Dove Block is that uplifting gift, a legacy of art, community, and shared vision.
The Susan Christopherson Center for Community Planning is a project
of the Center for Transformative Action, a registered 501(c)3 organization.
Susan Christopherson Center for Community Planning
Tompkins Center for History and Culture
110 North Tioga St.
Ithaca, NY 14850
© 2025 by Susan Christopherson Center for Community Planning