Ed Fair stands outside of the Masonic Temple on Friday afternoon. He is all smiles because the building just had a new boiler installed. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle

Although the Masonic Temple on Main Street in Butler had a new boiler installed this week, the Associated Artists of Butler County are unsure of how long the nonprofit can continue operating the Butler Art Center, which rents space at the temple.

Shirley McCauley, board secretary for the Associated Artists of Butler County, said the failure of the building’s boiler in December put the organization in a tough financial situation, leaving the nonprofit with a few options.

“One is to close down the physical Associated Artists and operate remotely and have our shows at different venues around the county,” McCauley said. “One is to move to a new location where we can get more foot traffic. We don't need 7,000 square feet, quite honestly.”

The Associated Artists of Butler County has existed since 1934, according to McCauley, and it has leased space on the first floor of 344 S. Main St. from the Masonic Temple for several years.

Ed Fair, a board member for the Order of DeMolay in Butler, said the boiler’s failure was a inconvenient for everyone, including the Masonic organizations that hold meetings in the temple.

He also said the organization was able to secure a new boiler sooner than he expected, and it was being installed this week. However, Fair said he still is concerned about the artists’ organization.