By Logan Wells, News Director | Logan@kymnradio.net
“When it first became available, I was all excited, and then I got hesitant because of what expectations it might have. And then a friend on Facebook named it for me that I don’t have to justify this, so it’s a wonderful place.” – Christine Stanton, a local painter, find her work here.
That was Christine Stanton. She’s a local painter and one of the fourteen artists using the Northfield Arts Guild’s new studio space at 411 Water Street South, just off of Bridge Square.
The space is meant to provide an affordable studio/workspace for emerging artists in Northfield. Here’s Michael Johnson, the Executive Director of the Arts Guild:
“When I say emerging, it’s not necessarily someone who’s super young, although we have lots of those folks here, people of all ages and abilities, but maybe haven’t had a chance to start their own business yet or grow it to a point where that’s all they’re doing.” – Micheal Johnson, Executive Director of the Northfield Arts Guild
Johnson stated that while Northfield has a strong arts program, there is a lack of physical space for artists to work and collaborate. The studio space opened at the end of March to artists.
Built in 1920, what many people know as the Ameriprise Building has been a lawyer’s office, a dentist’s office, and apartments at different times throughout its history. In 2022, the City of Northfield purchased the building as part of a possible development project with the Municipal Liquor Store. When those plans didn’t materialize, the city began looking for a new tenant. Now repurposed offices, conference rooms, and other work spaces serve as a place for wide-range of artists from painters to sculptors and animators.
Even in the short time so far that it has been open to artists, the space has begun to have a positive impact. Here’s Christine again:
“It’s a wonderful place, a place where I can do things bigger and splatter and things that I couldn’t do at home.” – Christine Stanton
The new expanded studio would give her time and ability to expand the work that she does:
“One of my goals has been to raise money for philanthropic organizations, and if it’s a way that I can paint and actually give my time to what the donation would be to a philanthropic organization.” – Christine Stanton
Another artist in the space stated the benefits of having the shared studio space:
“One of the best things about being an emerging artist in a collaborative space like this, even if you’re working on your own art, even if like the artwork isn’t collaborative, you know you just bounce off ideas. You inspire each other, you motivate each other to make art.” – One of the artists in the space
For artists renting the space, the cost is only $100 a month with some artists having their own space or agreeing to share a space. The low costs were able to be offered in part because of the Guild’s deal with the City, where the Arts Guild only covers the cost of utilities for the building which Johnson described as essential for the Guild to be able to offer the space:
“And I can’t stress enough how important the price is. It’s so unique.” – Michael Johnson, Executive Director of the Arts Guild
He thanked the City Council for their support:
“And I want to make sure people know this is possible because of the staff at the city and the City Council for allowing us to enter into this really affordable partnership.” – Michael Johnson, Executive Director of the Arts Guild
While the artists are still relatively new to the space, ideas for how to use the space are already in the works. Johnson said he sees the opportunity for art sales in the future, open house events, and the opportunity to meet with artists in their studios. He said for artists this could be an opportunity for them to grow a hobby or expand or start a business:
“I’ve heard from artists so far that it’s been life-changing, and I don’t use that lightly. I think it really has been transformative.” – Michael Johnson, Executive Director of the Arts Guild
All Kinds of Art, All Kinds of People.
Ultimately, Johnson stated that the mission of the Arts Guild is at the core of the new space:
“Everybody in this space is doing art and other things and they’re doing it because they love it, and that’s a joy for the Guild to be able to offer.”
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