Founded 42 years ago with the goal of providing a place for residents and visitors to gain an appreciation of the visual and performing arts, the Ocean City Cultural Arts Center is experiencing a renaissance.

Prominently situated in the newly renovated Ocean City Community Center, the Arts Center has seen a growing membership and more participation in its classes.

“It’s very exciting how we’ve grown,” said Rosalyn Lifshin, executive director of the facility. “Everything is up about 30 percent or more.”

Staff members encouraged a membership drive, increasing the list from 700 to over 1,200 this year. Participation in the popular summer art camps increased from 200 to over 300. Fall classes start this week with a healthy enrollment.

“We try to offer creative opportunities that appeal to all ages and interests,” said Lifshin.

The Arts Center includes three large studios with northern light and a dance studio, music room, pottery studio, reference library and darkroom. The center offers classes in watercolor, pastels, oil, drawing, folk art, basket weaving, stained glass, potter, fabric art, sculpture, dance (ballet, jazz, ballroom, Latin and dance exercise), photography, performing arts, Tai Chi, piano, harp, guitar and drum lessons.

The new addition, Lifshin said, helped the Arts Center “tremendously.” It connects the Arts Center, Historical Museum, library, Aquatic and Fitness Center and the Senior Center via a wide-open atrium complete with a coffee shop. The new facility not only attracts more participation, but once a visitor comes for one area they are far more tempted to visit all venues.

“We have such a large volume of people coming in now,” said Lifshin. “People come in and they check everything out. It’s amazing what the addition has done for us. It was tough during that construction time but it’s really paid off for us now.

“There’s lots of space for people to spread out, plenty of seating. It’s nice and quiet, people feel very relaxed to come in and spend time. It’s a very nice atmosphere,” she added.

Attracting people to take a look-see is different from getting them to sign up, however. Lifshin said a new staff member, dance teacher Brooke Parsons, has been a big draw for children.

“She teaches dance,” said Lifshin. “She’s a special education teacher, and a dancer, she’s great with children. She teaches ballet, jazz and hip hop, the Future Pop Stars class. They learn to dance like the pros, the kids just adore her. They get up on the stage and strike a pose, she really has them enthralled.”

The Center’s education programs, Lifshin said, not only provide a learning venue for eager students, but also employment for artisans to share their talents through teaching.

“The more children we get to sign up the more teachers we need,” said Lifshin.

The first ever “Open Mic” was hosted at the Arts Center in July and returns on Sept. 30 at 7 p.m. Hosted by art teacher Rob Gummel, who is also a musician, the premier event attracted more than 50 people. Lifshin said they expect the year-round crowd will love the opportunity.

“It’s fun, it gives people a chance to perform,” she said.

The James Pulvino Alumni Art Show, for Ocean City High School alumni, debuts on Sept. 23 with a reception and runs through Sept. 30.

“We’re excited to have the alumni here,” said Lifshin. The event offers alumni a resume-enhancing opportunity and the community an opportunity to peruse local talent, she said.

“The featured artist is Steve Megargee, his work is very exceptional,” said Lifshin.

Local artists offer a wide variety of classes: Nancy Palermo for painting, Marie Natale for watercolor, Sue Rau for painting, among others. The Arts Center offers a monthly featured artist; October’s guest is Louis Adam.

“We have a ‘Meet the Artist’ reception every second Friday,” said Lifshin. “We have a juried art show in November and we have a couple hundred entries. There’s a lot going on at the Arts Center.”

The Arts Center offers a gift shop with a wide variety of unique items by area artisans, including jewelry, prints, paintings, blown glass, hand-painted scarves, pottery, stained glass, baskets, sculpture, and poetry books. Many of the center’s teaching artisans gain additional exposure and income through the Gallery Gift Shop.

“The interesting thing is that the economy does not seem to be hurting us as much as we feared,” she said. “Our gift shop is doing well and that’s a good sign. People don’t need to buy art, it’s not a necessity. Summer camps and classes are not either, and we are gaining enrollment. So we feel really optimistic. We’re looking forward to a good fall season.”