The former warehouse that has housed artists' studios since 1977 has been sold for redevelopment. The city and the nonprofit Artspace are helping displaced artists find new space nearby.
One of the many topics Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton touched on during her appearance in Buffalo on Friday was her role in the creation of the Artspace facility on Main Street.
Santa Cruz’s Sonia Le is picking up that tradition. Le, 38, is an independent fashion designer who works from her studio/office at the Tannery Arts Center. But she’s also a teacher, looking to instill the skills of fashion into a new generation.
A collaborative collection of street and chalk artists, poetry, music and opportunities for fledglings to sketch live models is poised for Arts on Terry Street on Sunday, May 15 in Patchogue.
And for a number of artists, as Emerald writer Jeff Nguyen points out, the lofts help foster a sense of community in the city's constantly evolving arts scene.
"We keep our rent artificially low," Lindquist said. "The artists control what businesses or restaurants move in, rent doesn't raise and cause eviction."
Through its business programs, Rural Development helps provide much-needed capital in rural areas, often in partnership with private-sector lenders and community-based organizations. The funding provides is used by the Turtle Mountain Tribal Arts Association in the Minot Artspace Lofts for training, workshops and gallery space.
The longtime low-cost hub of Lowertown’s arts scene has been sold and all the current tenants — dancers, sculptors, painters and photographers — must find new space.
