Remodeling of former art museum building into events center is under way

By Andrew Barksdale Staff writer

The new owner of the former Fayetteville Museum of Art has begun revamping the property to build a weddings and events center.

Justin Pearson, a Leland wedding photographer, bought the property in December for $250,000 and announced plans to open the center by May.

But after he began studying the property more closely, meeting with city inspectors and talking with several local wedding professionals, he said he realized he would need more time to complete everything.

The center will be called Vizcaya Villa, after an Italian Renaissance-style estate and mansion in South Florida.

Pearson, who is managing the project, said architectural drawings, landscape plans and building permits will be filed with the city soon. He hopes to announce next month a revised opening date.

"We will feel confident that we'll be open before the end of the year," Pearson said.

The privately managed Art Museum at 839 Stamper Road closed permanently in 2010 because of funding problems. The museum was founded in 1971, and its home behind Eutaw Village Shopping Center was dedicated in 1978.

The museum board put the building up for sale for $1.2 million in 2008 to help settle debts and prepare for building a larger home at Festival Park. Those plans never materialized. The museum board settled its debts, liquidated its assets and dissolved at the end of last year.

Although the 7.5-acre property has been deeded to Pearson, he said he has several private investors who believe Fayetteville needs another venue to hold and photograph weddings and special events. The property has a pond and gazebo.

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Remodeling of former art museum building into events center is under way