Proposal: Fill the Willows with Art, Music, Dance and Drama

Radnor Township residents John and Christine Kline have a special place in their hearts for the Willows mansion — it was the site of their wedding reception 18 years ago. They hope that that use of the building can continue, but they are also proposing that they run art, music, dance and drama classes for children there.

In addition to running extra curricular art and music classes out of the Country Day School of the Sacred Heart in Bryn Mawr, they teach there; she music, he art. The also just opened a "Kline Creative" studio in Manayunk, where they expand their offerings to dance and drama.

"Like everyone in the area, we have a soft spot for the Willows," Christine told Radnor Patch. The family has gone on picnics there and have spent countless hours with the couple's two sons there. "It's such a wonderful place. I just feel like theres room not only for our program but for developing partnerships with local artists and local businesses."

In addition to the aforementioned programs, the Klines would also offer parent/child programs for infants, toddlers and preschoolers, she said. The classes would take place during days and after school; private instrumental and voice lessons would take advantage of the smaller rooms upstairs.

"We're also really interested in offer community events, like a community children's theater," Christine said. "There are many artistic programs in the area, but they're all a little bit different. I think there's room for everyone."

She added that in most everything they offer, their stuff is portable — so they could move their props aside for a rental of the building. "We see that space as something that should be used by the people of Radnor," she said. "I think the creative possibilities are endless."

Related:

Caterer Tells His Plan for Willows Mansion

Willows Proposal: 'To-The-Manor-Born' Experience