Santa Maria Sun / Art

Trading spaces in Guadalupe

The Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center and the Guadalupe Cultural Arts and Education Center are changing places and creating a shared campus to improve service to members and the public.

The operational change has been a year in the making. The Dunes Center Board of Directors proposed the collaboration between the groups as a means of improving services and addressing financial challenges.

The Dunes Center has operated an interpretive visitor center at 1055 Guadalupe St. for more than 10 years, with school programs and administrative offices at 1045 Guadalupe St. Next door, at 1065 Guadalupe St., is the 12-year old Guadalupe Cultural Arts and Education Center, an organization that focuses on the Native American and cultural history of Guadalupe and the surrounding area.

On Oct. 27, both centers will celebrate their grand re-opening at their new locations, a move that will position each organization for long-term health and continued success.

In addition to the headquarters operations of each organization, the two are creating a shared campus to enhance the visitor experience. The wall that formerly divided the centers has been removed to provide easy access to both facilities so visitors can enjoy and learn about the natural and cultural history of the Central Coast.

For more information, call 343-2455.