Although construction workers are still adding the final touches to the Father Ryan Arts Center in McKees Rocks, the curtain will go up as scheduled for a grand-opening celebration Oct. 4 and 5.

Scaffolding has been erected on the Chartiers Avenue sidewalk as workers build a wall of decorative glass blocks designed to match the center's brick work and emphasize the building's square facade.

Inside, ceiling tiles need to be installed in the auditorium, plaster boards are being sealed in the hallways and general cleanup still is ahead.

But in place are four mosaic art works made of glass, ceramic, tile and objects donated by people in the Sto-Rox community.

The four-foot-by-six-foot mosaics depict the people, landmarks and history of McKees Rocks and Stowe.

Teenage artists Tom Mixter, Chris Burley, Eric Phiri and Pete Jeffers created the mosaics this summer in the art room at the Sto-Rox High School with guidance from artists Robert Ziller and Stevo Sadvary.

Work to convert the former Desks Inc. store into the arts center began in September 2006.

The project is being funded through a $4.2 million capital campaign that relies primarily on grants and donations from the public and local businesses.

Seed money of $800,000 from the Sanders consent decree, a court-ordered payment as restitution for discrimination in public housing, helped launch the project.

Focus on Renewal, a local social service agency headed by Father Ryan, became custodian of the funds, and after a series of community meetings, local residents decided an arts center where people could come together and grow culturally was the best use for the funds.

Designed by John Baverso Architects, the center contains a 125-seat theater, two dance studios, two music rehearsal studios and a record studio. It has space for a computer graphics lab and studios for pottery, ceramics and sculpture.

A cafe and a 1,261-square-foot art gallery are part of the lobby design on the ground floor. The center also has a 730-square-foot commercial kitchen and is accessible to disabled people.

"We want to convey to young people that the arts are more than just a hobby," said Pillar Brown, the center's marketing coordinator. "You can make a living at it."

The center's namesake, Father Ryan, added, "Just like the arts, this center is for everyone."