It all started in 1971 when then mayor of Hornell Andrew Mazzella called a public meeting to determine what interest there was in the arts for the area. About 50 people representing area organizations attended. Headed by Nancy Goodwin, who was appointed by Mayor Mazzella, the Hornell Area Arts Council was formed and chartered by the State. A grant of $3,000 was awarded to the Arts Council by America The Beautiful Fund of New York.

Classes and workshops were developed with area artists and craftspersons as teachers. The Arts Council helped sponsor local production of HANDEL'S MESSIAH, worked with area theatre groups, and began bringing in live entertainment. One of these performances by Fred Waring brought out an audience of 1,000. Opera, drama, comedy, orchestra and dance groups were brought into the greater Hornell area as the Arts Council began its custom of a yearly Performing Arts Series of quality live entertainment at prices area families can afford.

Besides the Series, the Hornell Area Arts Council supports the Poets' Theatre and Writer's Round Table, its commitment to providing a showcase for artist exhibits, its resource services to individuals and groups, and its many youth projects.

Poets' Theatre was formed in 1975 by Bea O'Brien who has devoted much of her time to working with and encouraging people to write poetry and prose. She has had her work published in many collections, chapbooks, and anthologies. These include "From the Wings", "Loon Lake Journal" and the novel, "One Track"

Poets' Theatre meets at 7:30PM the second Thursday of each month (except for December and January) at the Senior Citizen Center, 20 Broadway.

Each month a guest poet is invited to read from his or her work with a discussion to follow. This is followed each session with the opportunity for open reading or original work by those attending the meeting. Many of the guests are well-known poets who come to Poets' Theatre from Rochester, Syracuse, and farther. Others are from the more immediate area. The average attendance is about 16 with a dozen of whom are "faithful regulars".

Each Poets' Theatre Meeting is open without charge to interested persons and includes encouragement and fellowship. (A collection is taken at each meeting to help with the cost of post card mailings and refreshments.)

Nathan Goodwin of Hornell is now the coordinator and can be reached at 153 Hornell Street, Hornell, NY 14843.

Our Art Gallery was opened in September of 2004 at 20 Broadway. This provides us a place to display art from our local and regional artists. We have started an Artist Registry to catalogue local artists for the community. We have approximately 36 local artist registered with us with a wide variety of mediums. Art Gallery is open Monday - Friday from 9AM - 1PM.