Creating space for art to take place
In the fall of 2009, my husband and I and a long time friend partnered up and renovated 400 sf in a 100 year old Creamery, first for a wood shop, followed by another 400 sf. for my studio.
I am currently developing ceramic prototypes for dinnerware, going back and forth from the Creamery to home, where the glazing and firing takes place, as that’s where the kilns are, for now. I will also be silkscreening, to be incorporated with the ceramics, on fabric, and in limited edition fine art prints.
We will be developing a larger space in the Creamery later this year, and hope to be ready to market the ceramics by summer.
The Creamery, once servicing a thriving dairy industry in Sonoma County, California, is a sorry mess of a structure that should likely, at present, be condemned. The surrounding coastal land is breathtaking, however, and we are only seven miles from the Pacific coast. “The surrounding landscape has remained unchanged for the last 50 years, and in keeping with Sonoma County’s General Plan, will not be subject to further commercial or residential development. Valley Ford is “big sky” country in the protected watershed of the Estero Americano.”
The space we are transforming is facilitating the creation of an art & design boutique, as my husband/partner and I transition from being suburban parents/house holders to being working artists playing in our chosen mediums. You will be seeing images of our work here, as it evolves.
The plan is to develop both functional ”art for the home” and non-functional work for the gallery market. My assistant (aka ‘husband’) is a woodworker. You will see his marquetry talents along the way. Our partner, Tom, a cabinet maker by trade, is exploring furniture making. He has installed the electrical while Burt, builder/remodeler extraordinaire, is erecting walls, installing insulation, doors, ceilings, and plumbing.
We have another 1600 sq ft. promised to us later this year, but for now, we have our hands full and consider ourselves fortunate to have 800 sq ft of working space.
I wanted to introduce you to our venture, so you could see something germinate from scratch, more or less, and hopefully your interest might develop over time, helping to hold me accountable to the vision of a successful art business in precarious times. Why not.
I will be posting pictures as things move along, so, stay tuned. I also hope to encourage and build a conversation having to do with art making, creativity, process, and whatever else. I want to see what grows from this organically.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
kym nicolas 03.17.10 at 5:42 pm
great! centa, i look forward to your progress and your musings
thanks for sharing your adventure.
admin 03.18.10 at 7:29 am
Thank for stopping by, Kym! Nice to “see” you in another virtual venue!