WATERVILLE — Waterville was awarded a $50,000 Creative Communities Economic Development Grant earlier this year. The Grant is the largest amount offered by the Maine Arts Commission. Through the grant, the Commission looks to support communities that already harbor vibrant arts and cultural non-profit organizations in order to bolster collaboration and cohesive expansion.

Perhaps the biggest undertaking of this grant has been the development of Common Street Arts, a new collaborative space dedicated to art education and exhibition. Occupying two storefronts of Masonic Block on Common Street, CSA will open in July 2012 as a non-profit art space that will host a diverse schedule of shows, events, classes and workshops.

From the spring of 2011 to the spring of 2012, this building was home to Common Street Gallery. Owner-operator Kate Barnes’ goal was to increase art appreciation in the community through art education and exhibition. Barnes has worked closely with community partners to assure a successful transition of the space to the expanded and collaborative Common Street Arts.

The previous gallery will become CSA’s studio. Freshwater Arts, the art education program of Waterville Main Street, will also merge into this new space. Connections Freshwater has formed with Kennebec Valley Community College, Colby College and local schools will remain a vital component of this space.

CSA’s website is under construction but in the meantime, find CSA on Facebook to learn more about the project and how you might get involved.

A soft opening benefit show, ARTworks, a non-juried group exhibition of small works is planned for Saturday, July 7.

Upcoming programs include:

* Free landscape and figure drawing for all ages: In collaboration with Colby College Museum of Art and the current Alex Katz exhibition, participants can make drawings that will be on display on large banners in the Colby Pulver Pavillion for the rest of the summer. The classes will be 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays, June 16 and 23.

To register, call Lauren Lessing at 859-5609.

* Camera-less film for teens and adults: hold movie film in your hands and create moving pictures without digital technology. In the first two classes participants can learn about the principles and possibilities of direct camera-less animation and create a collaborative short film. The third meeting will be a screening of the final product. Class times are 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, July 10 and 17 and 8:30-9:30 p.m. July 2. A $65 fee includes all materials.

To register, call Waterville Main Street at 680-2055.

* Place setting and potluck for all skill levels: one cup, one plate, one bowl, one place mat and a delicious potluck to end. A six-session weekly class in pottery with a tidbit of sewing and cooking. Class times are 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesdays, July 11-Aug. 15. Cost is $180, all art materials and firing fee included.

To register, call Waterville Main Street at 680-2055.