Millville's Glasstown Arts District Anchored by Riverfront Renaissance Center

What is now the cultural heart of Millville was once an abandoned men and boy's store on a block of vacant storefronts. Today, that address at 22 N. High Street is the Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts (RRCA), and the transformation that radiated outward from it has reshaped an entire downtown. Since April of 2001, the RRCA has been a nonprofit community arts and cultural center in the heart of Millville's downtown, and in its 24th year of operation, the center continues to prove itself a vital asset in the region.

A District Built on Glass and River

Built around the Maurice River, with historic buildings and a heritage as a glass center, the Glasstown Center Arts District is designed as an inviting place for visitors to stroll, relax, shop for art and fine crafts, and enjoy themselves — preserving Millville's legacy as a center for the glass industry and home to many skilled craftsmen that produced today's collectibles. That industrial backbone goes deep: glassmaking has a history in the city dating back to the 1800s. During the late 1980s and 1990s, Millville lost nearly 7,500 manufacturing and computer processing jobs, and the arts became the catalyst for the downtown area to become revitalized.

The RRCA was the pioneering organization in the establishment of Millville's downtown revitalization plan in 2001, and has since continued to lead the way, both individually and through strategic partnerships, in the growth and success of center city, working strategically with city government and others to use the creative power of the arts to build an ever-changing arts district and attract artists and patrons from the region. Its neighbors now consist of new restaurants and pubs, galleries and studios, murals and sculptures, a theatre, parks, and an array of other small businesses; that once semi-abandoned main street has blossomed into a community with two common goals: to bring people together with the arts and to help the area re-emerge from economic uncertainty into a vibrant downtown.

Inside the Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts

Located on the first block of High Street, the center is a hub for creatives and the community, providing a versatile space for meetings, events, and monthly art receptions. The building's interior is more complex than a single gallery; the RRCA has four gallery spaces, with monthly exhibits. Among them is the Witt Gallery, named after Millville's Artist Laureate, Pat Witt, lined with subdued yellow-toned walls and wood flooring, providing a sophisticated viewing space that also doubles as a setting for community meetings and events. The Associate Artist Alcove allows multi-talented Associate Artists the opportunity to rotate one- or two-person exhibitions each month, a perk of becoming an RRCA Associate Artist. The Atrium provides a striking entrance to the facility and is often the site of special exhibits, including those by school groups and residents of local assisted living and retirement homes, as well as small events such as dinners or signing events.

Available and accessible resources such as arts education, exhibits, and considerable physical space are key strengths of the organization; functioning as a true community partner has allowed an opportunity to increase audiences through collaborations with both arts and non-arts organizations, with emerging and professional artists alike sharing their creative vision to southern New Jersey audiences.

The RRCA's stated mission captures that scope directly: "To advance RRCA as the focal point for cultural, educational and artistic enrichment and perpetuate a sense of community; It does so through the presentation of exhibits, the development of artists, and by attracting regional audiences."

Programming: Free, Accessible, and Year-Round

The Renaissance Center for the Arts has been providing Millville residents and visitors free access to arts and culture for over 20 years, with programs that include low-cost and free art education for youth and adults, and opportunities for artists to exhibit art and teach. Financial support from the public is crucial in funding youth arts education programs, including youth workshops, summer camp, and exhibits; the center is also a frequent trip destination for students, seniors, and adults with disabilities, for whom art activities offer an outlet for creative expression that is often therapeutic.

The center also provides its facility space for use by many local organizations and for other community events. Free drop-in community activities run on a regular weekly schedule:

• Saturday Crochet/Knitting Group: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Wednesday Mahjong Group: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

And in a detail that says something about the center's open-door philosophy: there's a piano on site, and the public is invited to stop in and play.

Third Friday Art Receptions

As the anchor in the Glasstown Arts District, the RRCA continues with Third Friday art receptions, leading the town in attracting visitors and benefitting all of Millville. Third Friday openings happen every month with new art exhibits, artists, and live music, and all art is for sale, including pieces in the gift shop featuring handmade art in all mediums.

The March 20, 2026 Third Friday reception features two new exhibits: the Associate Artist Show I, titled "Things with Wings," and a new show called "Abstract Row." The event is listed at 22 N. High Street; for the most current start time, contact the RRCA directly at 856-327-4500 or diane@rrcarts.com, as listings show times ranging from 5 to 8 p.m.

Membership and Artist Opportunities

Artists and community members can deepen their connection to the RRCA through membership. Artist and General Membership information is available as a downloadable PDF from the center's website at rrcarts.com. For 2026, membership renewals are open and can be completed online, in person at 22 N. High St., or by mailing a check to RRCA at that same address. Artist-members gain access to exhibiting opportunities in the Alcove and other gallery spaces throughout the year.

Commitment to Inclusion

The RRCA publishes its equity commitment plainly on its website: "For decades, the arts have been a crucial outlet for many. Art is not only an avenue to express one's feelings, but it is a powerful way to be seen and heard. This is especially important for the disenfranchised/marginalized within our community. At RRCA, equality, access and equity for all is our core belief. We welcome all patrons and artists with support and acceptance. Staff and board seek out education and understanding of DEAI practices and all representatives of the organization will be updated on new policies. RRCA is your community art center, and we will continue to learn and implement ways to remain an inclusive organization; a safe space for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ and persons with disabilities."

Accessibility extends to the physical building: public access and most buildings in the district are fully accessible.

Beyond the RRCA: The Full Glasstown Experience

The district surrounding the RRCA rewards an afternoon of exploring on foot. The Glasstown Arts District features galleries, theatre, restaurants, and shops set in a town steeped in the history of American glass making. Private galleries dot the streetscape with original paintings, ceramics, Giclée prints, mosaics, and more. Specialty shops carry unique gifts, antiques, books, hand-crafted fashions, and candy. The dining range spans classic Americana diner-style food, Euro-California cuisine, pizza, pub fare, sushi and Chinese, and fine dining.

The Maurice River itself is a destination: a 700-foot river walk runs along its banks, and Captain Buck Riverfront Park offers space for a picnic. Maurice River Cruises operates from May through October, offering unique trips on the Wild and Scenic Maurice River that guarantee bald eagle sightings along with frequent osprey, otters, and historic sites. Parking is easy: a single block separates the downtown shopping corridor from the riverfront, and parking is available in that block.

The district includes seven full-time galleries, along with ten part-time galleries and studios, which are open mostly on weekends and on the third Friday of each month. The newly renovated Levoy Theatre hosts performances from Thursday to Sunday each week, having welcomed groups including the Off Broad Street Players, orchestras, vocalists, and celebrity comedians.

Wheaton Arts and the Millville Army Air Field Museum

Two additional institutions within Millville anchor a longer day trip. Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center attracts 80,000 visitors annually; there, you can watch world-class glass art created in the Glass Studio, tour the Museum of American Glass with its notable collection, and walk through the Craft Studios to see skilled artists at work. The Museum of American Glass holds the world's largest hand-blown glass bottle, standing over 7 feet tall, along with original pieces made by Wheaton Industries.

The Millville Army Air Field Museum, currently doubling its size, occupies the site of "America's First Defense Airport" during World War II; museum programs and tours focus on Millville's vital role in aviation history and the history of the P-47 Thunderbolt fighter-bomber.

Getting There and Staying Connected

The Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts is located at 22 N. High Street, Millville, NJ 08332. Phone: 856-327-4500. Website: rrcarts.com. Event inquiries: diane@rrcarts.com. For Cumberland County tourism information, the regional line is 866-866-MORE.

The RRCA is a testament to the power of community and creativity, proudly supported by many and continually evolving to meet the community's needs, with a rich history of accomplishments and a dedication to fostering artistic expression and cultural engagement. The Glasstown Arts District it helped build from a vacant block into a regional destination is proof of what that commitment looks like over two-plus decades.