One of our previous PAPAYA employee's and long time family friend, Julia Garrity is one of the masterminds behind a new non-profit arts center opening soon here on Main St. in Ashland, Oregon. After PAPAYA Julia went headlong into a three floor building and a team of dreamers (and fundraisers!). A year later they are close to opening. The center will feature ceramic, stained glass, pottery, photo & art class spaces as well as artist-in-residence studio's (5 more left!), a fully stocked art supply store (Central Art Supply), local artisans gallery and more. They have classrooms for rent as well as feature guest instructors in a huge array of mediums for all ages. There will be artwalk events, open studio's and beyond. This space will serve not only Ashland but hopefully host mny of you who'd like to work with fabulous teachers from all over the country. Hats off! This is a big deal!
PAPAYA! donated storage, tables and display fixtures. And I'll be doing some volunteering to help with the centers fresh start. (If there's one area that I can actually get into Volunteering it's for the arts!) To meet their opening deadline they are welcoming more hands. Anyone who is living in or near Ashland and would like to lend a helping hand to this fantastic undertaking and community resource please call Julia at 541-890-3752. Or if you would like to visit Ashland to be a part of this exciting project get in touch as well. So many skills can be put to use.
Can you sweep? Want to donate web skills from afar? Good at word documents? Got strong teenagers? Have a garage full of canvases? Tired of your stain glass tools you never use?
They are also interested in all sorts of donations such as:
Storage Bins
Tables
Unwanted Art/Design books
Furniture/ fixtures
Art supplies
Etc, etc...
You can also contact Julia if you are a teacher who would like to be part of the first years program line up. They are accepting new proposals for classes & retreats now. I'll post more information about getting on their mailing list when they get closer to opening. Giddy-up Y'all!
that sounds so great! good for you guys.
Posted by: robin | July 25, 2009 at 05:33 PM
Cool! Hooray for creative, yes-I-can people like Julia Garrity! Pretty soon those walls are going to be echoing the sound of art-making and laughter.
Posted by: susanna | July 26, 2009 at 07:36 AM
Do you have a link or an email address that you could share? Would love to contact Julia, sounds like a great new space.
Posted by: Leighanna Light | July 27, 2009 at 08:28 AM
Wow, Thanks Anahata for that super write up and shout out to your adoring visitors!! The vote of support is so appreciated!
Although we are still putting lots of loving hours into getting this art center vibrantly equipped, we have opened doors to the public! We'll celebrate with a grand opening in October... until then, one and all are invited to check out this Ashland Art Center at 357 E. Main Street, downtown Ashland, Oregon seven days a week!
Thanks for your caring, generous attention to this project :) XOXOXO
Anyone wanting to email me, feel free! Julia@AshlandArtisanGallery.com
Thanks All! ... Come Create & Play! :)
Posted by: Julia | August 08, 2009 at 06:08 PM