Editor’s note: First of a four-part weekly series

ORANGE BEACH, Ala. – Wanda Price, Coordinator of the Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach, loves to look at the boards in her office detailing the master plan for the facility.

Maybe it’s more like a wish list. But it is detailed and it is a serious plan to expand art offerings on the coast.

“We call this the Master Plan Project and it is broken down into phases,” Price said. “The first phase has already been designed by architects Peter Gluck and Partners and has been approved by the City Council.

“Phase I, the ‘Bayside Terracing and the Stage’ includes several components: constructing the performing arts stage; gently terracing beautiful landscape, and renovating the porch of the Arts Center’s Gallery. This phase of the Master Plan Project part will be completed, we hope, by spring of 2013.”

Plans to raise funds to make the performance stage a reality are being made.

“The fundraising campaign is called the Broad Brush Campaign,” Price said. “We are encouraging businesses and individuals to make an investment that will impact our coast for decades.

“There are naming opportunities for the Broad Brush Campaign. Businesses or individuals can put their name on the performance stage, the Gallery Porch, the terraces or one of the great big ol’ trees that frame the gorgeous view of Wolf Bay. There are many levels of giving possible.”

Price says the master plan will be completed one step at the time, as money allows. Another project, a new pavilion for the glass-blowing Hot Shop, is going up soon, too.

“It’s not a massive undertaking,” she said. “And that’s how all the parts of the Master Plan Project will be completed, one phase at a time.”

Price said even though the master plan is ambitious and will take a while to execute; it is a major step just knowing what is needed.

“The wonderful thing about a master plan is its articulation of a comprehensive strategy for the physical and program growth of the Arts Center,” she said. “This strategy is immersed in the uniqueness of the property’s history, location and mission of the Arts Center. As portions are added, each will fit perfectly with the final plan.”

The outdoor stage and public area, Price said, was the perfect place to start.

“With Phase I we asked, ‘What’s an important part for our entire community?’” she said. “What will make a big impact? The answer was the Performing Arts Stage and the bayside landscaping. This will be wonderful for our community and for the arts programing as well. There are a lot of things about phase one that are really cool.”

Price says the stage area and terracing of the lawn can be used in a variety of ways and not just for performances or displays.

“Phase I will create educational space, performance space and also come sit and have lunch on the bay space,” she said. “Weddings, concerts and theater down by the bay: it’s a lot of different things.

“The Bayside space will impact not just the arts, but the whole community. It’s a good first step for the Master Plan Project.”

Other phases of the plan include a series of buildings on the east side of the driveway leading up to the main building, a former hotel built in the 1920s.

“The Master Plan details space for a metal-working studio, clay and ceramics studio, two children’s studios, and of course the glass studio,” Price said. “There is also a double studio specifically for a variety of mediums, such as painting, sculpture, textile art or photography. It will be flexible studio space.”

Inside the main building, the Gallery, the plan calls for an opening up of the bottom floor to make one big room, but also one that could be closed in sections to accommodate smaller parties or collections.

“This (Gallery) building is two stories and we’d like to open the center of the building to the roof.” Price said. “But the exterior will remain true to its origins in the 1920’s.

“The Gallery will be a lovely, open, light-filled space when it’s completed, and multi-functional because the walls are movable, allowing for different-sized exhibits and events. The Gallery is where we’ll continue to show case exhibiting artists’ works and some of our growing permanent collection.

“It would make a great place to host a big party. It’s going to be a beautiful place.”

Next Tuesday: A new space for the Hot Shop.