CityView Magazine

CityViewNC.com | 29 Thank goodness for the people among us who can look at something – a building, a community, a concept or tradition – and actually envision how much better it could be. And how much is owed to that even more select group who not only have the vision, but also the courage and commitment to actually set about the work of making the vision a reality. It was three such people, who among them own and operate two architectural firms in Fayetteville, that looked around downtown Fayetteville a decade ago and saw intriguing possibility. It is they – Chris and Nasim Kuenzel and their partner, Eric Lindstrom, who envisioned an art theater as an anchor for an incipient renaissance in downtown Fayetteville. Architects are trained to see the possibilities, even in the midst of decrepitude and decay. But it took extraordinary vision to "see" not only a remodeled functional building, but the value that an art film theater could bring to the cultural life of Fayetteville. Their shared vision – and the shared hard work that has followed – has brought to Fayetteville the Cameo Art House Theatre. The theatre's films attract patrons from across the region. Even so, there are still many people in Fayetteville who have yet to experience the magic that transpires at the Cameo. At Almost every Fourth Friday, the monthly downtown "open house" for businesses, galleries and museums, when crowds of people move along Hay Street in front of the Cameo, Nasim Kuenzel says, "Someone will open the door, stick their head in and marvel, hey, is this a theatre?" That's astonishing to the many regular patrons of the Cameo. They are comfortably familiar with the cozy lobby, decorated with posters of upcoming films, and accustomed to seeing one or more of the owners behind the concession stand, selling tickets. They enjoy choosing refreshments that may include a glass of wine or a frosty beer or a gourmet chocolate treat. From the very beginning, a core of such patrons has embraced the Cameo. And they're not all from Fayetteville CAMEO By Sara VanderClute Fayetteville's THE Above | Nasim and Chris Kuenzel, two of the three partners of The Cameo Art House Theatre, share a moment in front of the theatre with their daughter, Cameron. Opposite | An illuminated poster from a recent feature at the theatre. Jewel Cinematic Special

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