Columbia Turns Old Police Substation into a Creative Hub for Artists
In a delightful twist for the artistic folks in Columbia, a former police substation at the bustling corner of Assembly and Taylor streets is getting a makeover! That’s right, folks—this erstwhile badge-wearing establishment is being transformed into vibrant artist studios, giving local artists the affordable space they desperately need.
Addressing a Long-Standing Challenge
The quest for affordable studio space has long been a thorn in the side of the Columbia arts community. Enter Xavier Blake, who has been aware of this dilemma since stepping into his role at OneColumbia, a city-funded arts nonprofit. Through a partnership with the city, this new studio isn’t just a pipe dream—it’s a real opportunity for eager artists. This initiative will provide three artists with completely free workspace for one whole year! Talk about a golden opportunity!
A Growing Initiative
Mayor Daniel Rickenmann shared his excitement about this project, calling it just the beginning of a broader effort to turn vacant properties into creative spaces for artists. The city owns the property on Taylor Street and has generously provided it to OneColumbia under a five-year lease—making this dream possible. Thanks to sponsorships from local businesses, artists will be able to use the space at zero cost. Talk about community spirit!
A Facelift for a Fresh Start
But this transformation isn’t just happening inside! The exterior has also received a fab makeover. Local artist Dogon Krigga teamed up with business owner and photographer Jared Johnson to create a stunning collage mural that brings life to the former substation’s facade. It’s like giving the building a fresh coat of artistic paint!
Creating Space for Emerging Talent
The Taylor Street studio aims to cater specifically to emerging artists—think of it as a nurturing ground for creativity. The idea is that by removing the financial burden of a workspace, artists can unleash their creativity without constraints. “For us, this is a really cool venture,” Blake expressed, highlighting how collaborations can yield exceptional outcomes for the arts community.
Planting Seeds for Future Growth
According to Rickenmann, this inaugural studio is merely the tip of the iceberg. His goal is to seek out other potential spaces across the city to fill them with artists, even if only temporarily. “We support a lot of arts initiatives, but there are some other creative ways that we can do things,” he affirmed. And what better way to beautify the city than involving local artists in its rejuvenation?
Building a Community
Set to officially open its doors soon, the studio is already buzzing with activity. The talented trio of artists—Yeshaya Drayton, Jordan Johnson, and Victoria Rickards—are the first to claim spaces, and they plan to host engaging monthly events like classes and talks. This initiative aims not only to help artists sell their work but also to foster interactions and collaborations among them.
Personal Journeys and Top Inspirations
For Drayton, this space is an opportunity to reconnect with his artistic voice after spending close to a decade working on commissioned pieces. Working in a studio allows him the freedom to explore all sorts of new mediums, so he can paint whenever inspiration hits—even after those late-night shifts! Rickards, meanwhile, is in graduate school for lighting design, and having a studio so close to the Columbia Museum of Art means easy access for her work. Perfect for those spontaneous art viewings!
Encouraging Collaboration
The proximity to experts like Rickards has already had a positive influence on Johnson, who specializes in portraiture. His ultimate goal? To learn and eventually teach others about art. Talk about giving back!
More to Come
While the Taylor Street studio is a great start, Blake acknowledges that this is not a fix-all solution for Columbia’s availability of affordable artistic spaces. However, it’s a significant step toward helping artists thrive and remain in the area. “We know this is not a silver bullet,” he admitted. “But we do think it’s a start.” And for those eager artists, another privately funded studio called Gemini Arts is set to open in Rosewood soon, aiming to create even more affordable studio options.
So here’s to a bright future for artists in Columbia! With initiatives like this sprouting up, the city’s art scene has plenty of reasons to celebrate.
