Our Raw Studio Space
A Collaborative Experiment
From 2019-2021, our raw studio space was an open environment for collaboration, ideation, and creative projects. Part art studio, part collaborative work environment, and the location for graphic facilitation and design thinking workshops.
ALPHACHIMP LLC, 1601 PAYNE STREET UNIT A, EVANSTON, ILLINOIS
How We Got There
Trajectory, a group of seven writers and artists (above), including Don Miner, Mathew Cummins, Sarah Jolly, Jayme Gaultier, Leah Lemelin, Marjory Oliva, and Peter Durand at their inaugural group show hosted at 1100 Florence.
ALPHACHIMP LLC, 1601 PAYNE STREET UNIT A, EVANSTON, ILLINOIS
In December of 2015, I said goodbye to our beautiful studio at Marathon Village in downtown Nashville.
I won't lie... it was tough to lose such a big, beautiful space and warm community!!!
ABOVE: MEMBERS OF THE TRAJECTORY ARTISTS GROUP. FROM LEFT TO RIGHT, PETER DURAND, DON MINER, MATTHEW CUMMINS, MARJORY OLIVA, JAYME GUALTIER, SARAH JOLLY AND LEAH LEMELIN
After moving just north of Chicago, I worked For three years out of a spare bedroom before bouncing around some co-working spaces.
I compulsively drove past empty storefront and warehouses, dreaming of another creative space. In the early summer of 2019, we found a nifty studio!
I refer to “we” because I am a member of a group of independent writers, visual artists, and one 3D designer/foundry sculptor. I joined this group in the autumn of 2017 as a commitment to making more personal artwork and making friends locally. (I still love you, Nashvegas!!)
After meeting weekly in various spaces, including each other’s living rooms, we had our first group show at 1100 Florence gallery in Evanston.
ABOVE: Opening reception of Trajectory on Friday, March 19, 2019
Trajectory: Process Revealed
We called the show Trajectory: Process Revealed, with the intention to show up with what we had, be authentic, and create the space. As we tried to capture the supportive, ad hoc nature of our group in the promotional postcard:
“Our group meets weekly to be in it together. Wherever each member is on their creative path, we show up. For ourselves, for each other. Just show up. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Seven trajectories intersecting, creating a yet-to-be-scientifically-identified energy inspiring continued creativity. Reminders to practice self-compassion when the flow isn’t happening. We celebrate each other and watch the magic happen. We celebrate movement, even if it is a half inch. A half-inch forward is still movement toward getting it done.”
The show was intended to be different from other artistic happenings. We didn’t want to be bored or closed off, so we packed the place with kids, loved ones, and good food.
We invited folks to join us in celebrating the movement on our trajectories. We wanted to share in our progress, show our work, and talk to visitors about their impressions and where we see our work going. It was our hope that, as people left, they would will contemplate their own trajectory.
The opening weekend on March 22-24, 2019 went like this:
Thursday: Show up with what you have and build out the space.
Friday: Opening reception and party
Saturday: Host a working studio experience in the gallery
Sunday: Invite folks to debrief the experience
ABOVE: The Saturday open working session at 1100 Florence Gallery
Since our first group show was a huge success, the experience catalyzed our desire to find a space to make stuff together! After obsessive scoping out of industrial buildings, lofts, and studios, we found the perfect raw studio space next to the Midwest Ceramics Guild.
ABOVE: Matthew Cummins working near canvases by Marjory Oliva.
I was also inspired by my friend Sita Magnuson and her Fort Future in Massachusetts, where she blends community engagement, fine art, and colorful blanket forts.
Following these examples we combine fun, learning, artwork, creative writing, and communal gatherings in the big, sunlit studio, complete with frequent kids’ night and check-ins on artistic progress by group members.
Our shared studio space was near Northwestern University's campus. We are members of the Evanston Made community, which hosts artist events throughout the year, including the First Saturday Art Events every month. Most importantly, this group has motivated me to begin painting again!
ABOVE: Paintings in progress.
