What’s been the feedback from the neighborhood on your space? We have met with neighborhood groups, organizations, and the business association to discuss partnerships and support. In the day-to-day, I have introduced myself to neighbors around Commonplace, both residents and business owners.

What kind of engagement have you done or do you plan to do with the neighborhood?

The building has only been open to renters for a few months. There are a few thoughts on how to engage with the neighborhood.  We really want the space to be open to the public and a safe place for the community to gather.  One thought is to create an artist’s residency with free rent to selected applicants.  The artist would propose an art installation or interaction that would engage with the community. The gallery could serve as a place to display the artwork to the neighborhood.  Another thing that we are interested in doing is teaching high school students the design process through creating in the woodshop, think high design shop class.  Students would design and build a piece of furniture learning the design process while acquiring practical woodworking skills.  Finally, we have discussed reaching out to the high school art teachers to have an open studio event where students interact with artists in a Q and A session.

Tell me about plans to make woodworking tools and other equipment available for local artists.

The building consists of creative studio spaces, an open gallery space and a woodshop.  The artists renting the space have full access to the woodworking shop.