Lee Coburn moved to Glade Spring three years ago to escape the “rat race” of his former home in Atlanta.

Now the graphic designer and newly elected town councilman is trying to reenergize his adopted hometown‚ and he puts his money where his mouth is. Coburn bought the dilapidated 1920s-era movie theater on the Glade Spring square‚ and in little more than a year turned it into a stylish two-bedroom‚ two-bath live/work space with offices for lease on both sides.

“It was the original Dixie Movie Theater here‚ and it was probably the building in the worst shape on the square‚” Coburn says. “It’s neat that it was a theater‚ because it has so much creative energy.”

Coburn lives in the renovated theater with his family‚ which includes a 2-year-old daughter. It’s also the base of operations for his graphic design business‚ Coburn Creative. His clients include Coca-Cola‚ Sears‚ IBM and Holiday Inn.

“I design everything from catalogs to T-shirts and brochures‚” he says. “And I also do some painting.”

Coburn’s dream is to turn one of his office spaces into an art gallery with the help of Emory & Henry College‚ where he teaches design and Web development.

“I’d like to see some sort of com merce there‚ and Emory has been really receptive to the idea of a gallery space to showcase student work‚” Coburn says.

He hopes his renovation project will breathe new life into the Glade Spring square.

“Some buildings on the square are falling down‚ but several groups have moved in and started restoring them‚” he says. “I would love to see a complete turnaround. As a typical artist‚ I see it as a blank canvas. We can do anything we want with it.”

Story by Jessica Mozo
Photo by Brian McCord