Artful Giving: Xanadu Homes Helps Bring Arts Centre Expansion to Life
Xanadu Homes among the first local businesses to support the new 3,500-square-foot addition at the Arts Centre
This article originally appeared in the Wellington Advertiser (Oct. 16, 2025)
Who: Tara Schuett and Bill Van De Ven of Xanadu Homes ~ Fine Cabinetry & Interiors
The gift: A $25,000 in-kind donation to bring the hospitality spaces in the Arts Centre’s expansion to life, including the new servery-style kitchen
Tara Schuett and Bill Van De Ven of Xanadu Homes ~ Fine Cabinetry & Interiors are known throughout Centre Wellington for transforming homes with creativity and care. Now, they’re applying that same vision to a different kind of project: the new expansion at the Elora Centre for the Arts.
Two years ago, the husband-and-wife team pledged $25,000 to the Arts Centre’s capital campaign to help bring the hospitality areas of its new 3,500-square-foot addition to life.
Their gift includes custom cabinetry for the new servery-style kitchen and multi-functional coatroom/bar — all crafted with Xanadu’s signature attention to detail.
“Xanadu was among the first community partners to join our capital campaign, and their support has meant the world,” said Lianne Carter, Executive Director of the Elora Centre for the Arts. “They’ve generously shared their time, expertise and resources to help create a beautiful, functional space that embodies the spirit of this expansion.”
The Arts Centre’s new addition will help address longstanding challenges with its existing building, an historic 1856 schoolhouse — from lack of accessibility to limited space for larger gatherings.
Once complete, the addition will offer a fully accessible venue for exhibitions, performances, large community gatherings and year-round programming for people of all ages and abilities.
For Schuett and Van De Ven, supporting the project was a natural fit.
“Art is what gives life its soul,” said Schuett. “Many of our clients honour art in their homes, and for us, the Elora Centre for the Arts is a community hub that does the same — it helps all of us weave creativity into everyday life.”
Having celebrated its 10th anniversary last year, Xanadu has long valued its connection to the local community.
“We love working where we live, with people we’ve come to know and trust,” said Van De Ven. “Supporting this project felt like a natural extension of how we already operate — by building strong foundations both in homes and in the community.”
The Xanadu team has been deeply involved in shaping the new space, including lead designer Kendra Yantha.
“It has been a privilege to contribute to this project, and I look forward to seeing the community benefit from and enjoy this new space,” said Yantha.
Schuett agrees: “It’s been a pleasure to work with Lianne [Carter] and everyone at the Arts Centre. Together, our team has designed a sleek, modern space with clean lines that beautifully complements the new structure. We can’t wait to walk into the completed space and know we had a part in bringing it to life.”
Xanadu’s contribution to the expansion is just one of the ways it supports the Arts Centre. The company also sponsored the Moonlight at the Mill gala and the IGNITE! Art Auction fundraiser.
“It’s always a joy to see our clients, partners, friends and neighbours come together at these events,” said Van De Ven. “Moments like these remind us why we do what we do — to help create a community everyone is proud to call home.”
For the Arts Centre, the partnership with Xanadu is a shining example of how local businesses can give back in ways that reflect who they are — and what they care about.
“This expansion isn’t just a building,” Carter added. “It’s a vision for a thriving, inclusive arts hub that will benefit our community for generations to come. And with partners like Xanadu, we’re well on our way to making it a reality.”
Construction on the expansion will be completed later this year, and there’s still time for community members and local businesses to leave their mark on this one-of-a-kind project.
From “buying a brick” to naming a space or special feature in the new addition, there are plenty of ways to get involved.
Click here to learn more about the expansion or contact Molly Kleiker for further details.
To see more of Xanadu’s work, visit xanaduhomes.ca.
