History
Eastend Arts Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion and support of visual arts throughout the community. Originally called GreenStreet Arts, Eastend was founded in 2006 by Michael Peck with support from local artists and leaders within Calhoun County. The organization has moved between several buildings throughout downtown Marshall since then, where it eventually settled in its home in 2012 in the Wagner Building, a historical structure that served as a lively area for community engagement within Marshall over a century ago.
The Wagner Building had sustained significant deterioration over the years, such as water damage within its roof and walls, so Eastend’s members quickly got to work with renovations when they acquired the building. With the help of volunteers, grants, and donors, the gallery was refurbished and restored, now containing 2,800 square feet of space for artists to showcase and sell their work.
In 2017, Eastend’s second floor was opened to the public and houses classrooms, a ceramic studio and glazing room that support a robust art education program for youth and adults, offering painting, ceramics, sculpture, mixed media, and more.
The latest step in the renovation process was to restore the Wagner Ballroom on the building’s third floor. The increased frequency of third-floor ballroom fires in the late 1800s resulted in the closing of the ballroom around the turn of the century; that is, until Eastend’s members worked to bring it back to life over a hundred years later. Starting in 2017 through its grand opening in 2021, Eastend’s members and supporters contributed tirelessly to renovate and restore this room, adding decorative wallpaper, four chandeliers, a catering kitchen, and hand-painted designs on the third-floor walls and stairs. The ballroom’s original, 150-year-old maple floors were restored to their original beauty as well. The building was also updated to meet ADA requirements with an elevator to reach the upper floors and accessible bathrooms. The Wagner Ballroom is now
hosting events such as weddings, receptions, and parties like Eastend’s Bewitched Ball. These renovations encourage connection and community within Marshall and surrounding areas and revive the building’s legacy as a center for community celebration.
Eastend Arts Center continues to support its mission of sharing art and inspiring creativity within the community, both by supporting local artists and providing art opportunities for adults and children alike. This organization would not be possible without the generous love and support from its donors, volunteers, and community members, and they hope to continue their
mission for years to come.
In 2025, Eastend entered a new chapter with a refreshed identity, officially rebranding from Eastend Studio & Gallery to Eastend Arts Center. This name change, accompanied by new logos for both the Arts Center and the Wagner Ballroom, reflects the organization’s expanded programming and its ongoing commitment to creativity, connection, and community.