A conversation begun on Twitter the other night on the topic of low cost studios (#lowcoststudio)- mainly, how do the majority of artists (when I say majority here, I mean the ones who don’t necessarily make a living from their art) find the space to do their work. This usually involves a converted space in the home, such as a basement or garage. I painted out of my basement for four years and it worked out well for me, except for the typical onset of cabin fever. Anyway, I tweeted that I rent space from a church, and pay them in art. That had a few of you curious and wishing for a bit of elaboration. Here, I offer a little bit of insight and some images for you.
Seattle First Church of the Nazarene is in the Wallingford neighborhood of Seattle, about three miles from my home in north Seattle. It’s a 15 minute walk from my home to catch a bus for a quick 10 minute ride the rest of the way. They are not a large community, but they are active, taking full advantage of their large 1950s church building. Four other communities, including two Asian-speaking churches, use the building for worship. Converted offices are rented out to non profits like Beyond Malibu. Several other community groups use the space for practices, such as the Washington Scottish Pipe Band (who practice on Thursday nights – a great time to be in the studio, as the bagpipes are LOUD and beautiful).
The church also has a space that they’ve designated as an artist studio, which I’ve taken pics of and posted here. It’s really a great space, as you can see. High ceilings, lots of light, tons of space. I share it with another artist, and we’ve cordoned it off so that we each work on opposite ends of the room, with the middle being kind of a “living room” with chairs and a couch. I also hang work on that wall, which I suppose serves as kind of a viewing area.
It’s not perfect – the windows are west facing, so at sunset you get blazing sun coming in. It’s unheated, which in the winter is not fun. On hot days during the summer, it gets up to 90 degrees on the inside! And the floor may or may not be asbestos – I just leave it alone. It’s all part of the whole package though, and I love it.
So, the rent arrangement. As I said in my tweet, I pay in art. Twice a year, the church commissions me to make a painting for them, which I do and give to them. I’ll usually speak to the community on a Sunday about the painting as well. The church in this way has over the last few years built up a nice collection of artwork. Outside of the artwork I make for the church, I have full autonomy to make my work in the space at any time.
That’s the deal. I am fortunate and blessed to have such a great space at the cost (though the cost is relative – the last painting the church received I had a really difficult time parting with). I’m hoping to do an open house in the next couple of months, inviting the community out to get an inside look at what we are doing and working on. Details for that will come as they are hammered out.
Latifah Shay
March 10th, 2010
Matt,
Thanks for posting. I always love to see where other artists set up shop.
Did the church choose you and the other artist b/c they like your art & style? The work that you create for them, is it very similar to what you do in general? I’m just curious how the commission/ trade works out..
And I can relate, I work from my basement – no heat. I am likewise subject to the whims of the weather.
Bye!
Latifah Shay
March 10th, 2010
Forgive me, I just looked at your site a bit more..
It seems that you do religious art, I couldn’t tell from the photos on this post.
An artist painting pictures of Jesus doing trades with a church for space sounds like a win-win situation.
Cheers.
matt
March 10th, 2010
Hi Latifah, thanks for checking out the blog and looking around!
To answer your first comment, admittedly I was invited into the space by an artist friend, who was working there already and had an opening. I didn’t know anyone at the church prior to moving in. So there was no application process, or call for artists or anything like that. Sometimes it’s who you know, I guess (said with the slightest hint of cynicism).
As for your second, I do commissioned work for churches in the Seattle area. The commissioning church has something specific in mind for what they want, and I help to execute that vision. They pay me for that service and I am appreciative of the paycheck, but I also enjoy working with communities and teaching them about the value of art, some of whom have had no real experience looking at and contemplating art. With that being said, I would gently nudge you back to my portfolio work and to read my artist statement before labeling me a “religious artist” who “makes pictures of Jesus” (Yes, I wrote a blog post with a statement on making pictures of Jesus for the title, but it was meant to be a bit tongue in cheek). Though I practice Christian faith in my life and it certainly informs my work, I devote a lot of creative energy to questioning that very faith in this world, and in being outright critical of many of our hallowed institutions, especially the church. My work is my work, and not made as a tool for any other entity.
Back to the first comment, I would hope that a church that had space for an artist studio would not limit who could be in there based on their practiced faith, but on the quality of the work the artist makes. I will concede that being an artist whose work is informed by their faith certainly didn’t hurt my entry into that space. As I teach people in the church what art can be and what it can do, I hope for the church to more greatly embrace art in general, be it in their church, a coffee shop, or a high-end gallery or museum.
I hope that all helps answer the questions you asked. It’s questions I struggle with daily in trying to make my work and be authentically engaged with the world.
Cheers,
matt