|
NC artists have a place to create |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Written by Erin Frustaci
|
|
Friday, 13 October 2006 |
|
|
|
|
The Poudre River Arts Center is like a shopping mall of art. Under one building sits 16 separate studios that offer more than 30 area artists a place to create.
“It lends me to think of my studio as more of a professional space,” said Amelia Caruso, a Fort Collins artist. “It’s like going to work. A lot of people in general don’t think of their art as being a business and that’s fine for a lot of people. In this space, most of us think of it as our next profession. We are all working toward being professional artists.”
Mike Jensen with Fort Collins Real Estate saw potential in the former office furniture store at 406 N. College Ave. He drew inspiration for the Poudre Arts Center from The Torpedo Factory, a successful artist’s center in Virginia. He would offer low rent to artists and in turn, they would have a space of their own and a network to share creative energy. The 17,000-square-foot building filled up quickly and now a waiting list exists for interested artists.
“The fact that the space is not just gallery space but a place where artists can work together and individually and have that support system is something that really appealed to me,” Caruso said.
The arts center also features a gallery on the main floor that can be rented out on a weekly basis by artists or the public for shows and events. The arts organization Arts Alive has offices in the building and oversees the day to day operations of the facility.
Donna Viscocky, co-director of Arts Alive, said the organization is like the house mother and monitors the whole renting process.
“Our goal is to expand and include performing arts as space opens up,” she said. “Our vision is even bigger than what it is now.”
At the grand opening celebration, people will have the chance to meet the artists, check out the space and enjoy free food, drinks and entertainment. Though the celebration marks the official opening, the facility has been open during the construction process.
“So far it’s been very well received. We’ve had a lot of people in here already,” Visocky said.
———
TO GO
The grand opening at the Poudre River Arts Center, 400 N. College Ave., is 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13. Admission is free. | Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register. |
|
|  | "Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is Alchemy's first law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only truth." | |
|  | We're not that bright, even though in our own little world, we're geniuses. We like 80s hair bands and one-hit wonders, but among us we have respectable tastes, too. Metallica, Iron Maiden, U2. Pursuit of all things trivial is a lifestyle, not just a game. We like some sports, love other sports, and can find something to say about anything. We watch TV and movies and we've read a book or two, even a few classics (Yes, Classic Comics count!)
We call it insight, you call it what you will. | |
|  | Felix Wong is an outdoor enthusiast living in Fort Collins. A mechanical engineer by day, he is especially passionate about bicycling, running, and backpacking. | |
|  | Hola Amigos! I'm Sandra. I like to believe that people are 70 percent good and 30 percent dumb. I'm stickin to that story. Reading this blog might make you want to be good, but probably just dumb. | |
|  | Donovan Henderson is editor of NEXTnc. | |
|  | Here at Nextnc we have some characters. Get a sneak peak behind the curtain and find out what amusing antics our staffers get themselves into on a weekly basis. | |
|  | What is up FoCo?
I am a recent college graduate of Minnesota State University Moorhead. After recieving my B.A. in English and Mass Communications this past August I moved down to Colorado.
I enjoy long walks on the beach, candlelight dinners, and heavy metal. My hobbies include reading and writing, music, movies, and getting drunk. Some of my favorite contemporary authors include Bret Easton Ellis, Chuck Palahniuk, and Kurt Vonnegut. My top movies are anything directed by Kubrick. I enjoy listening to anything that rocks.
Right now I am just trying to get to know Colorado and FoCo better. Mostly in order to find the best drink specials on each day that ends in Y. So if you know where I can get a cheap drunk on, let me know!
--Drew | |
|  | Life's little morsels of inspiration, observation and encouragement seen through the eyes of the Nextnc reporter.
| |
|  | Ms. Giles currently lives in Colorado where she stars in her own private reality show. She writes aphoristic accounts of her life, taken completely out of context, and embellished with characters and situations disguised to resemble something close to interesting. | |
|  | over and out | |
| | My name is Michelle Turley and I'm 28 years old. I live in Severance with my hubbie, Brandon. We have 2 dogs and a cat. We enjoy camping, four-wheeling, and just being in the mountains. I like to cook, clean (go figure), flea market, and play poker. I have so much to say about poker... | |
|
|
