The Maud Morgan Visual Arts Center located at 20 Sacramento St. in Cambridge will officially open its doors on October 6.

The arts center was designed by Cambridge-based Prellwitz Chilinski Assoc. as a colorful re-creation of a historic 19th Century carriage house and contemporary wing, according to a statement. The 3,200-square-foot building took 12 years of planning, fundraising and development by the nonprofit Agassiz Baldwin Community (ABC).

After purchasing the 20 Sacramento St. property in 1998, ABC won an initial round of arts center funding from MassDevelopment and Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Project Fund, according to a statement. After a decade of permitting challenges and continued fundraising, the project earned final approval and a Massachusetts Cultural Facilities grant in 2009, enabling it to move into construction last summer. Medford-based Highland Development oversaw the eight-month construction schedule.

"The building design is so successful," said Terry Delancey, executive director of ABC. "It blends into the community fabric, but stands out as a beacon for all who value the visual arts – young and old, beginner and professional. It’s the perfect culmination of our vision for a welcoming hub for high quality, affordable classes and activities taught by highly experienced faculty."