(Click photo for a full view)
The first moment I saw the logo and heard about the idea surrounding Art Lab Enid I was intrigued. I checked out their Facebook Page and website but couldn't find enough info about the artists to satisfy my needs. So being a like minded artist and hard nosed reporter for Enid Buzz I set up a meeting and headed over to the elusive Art Lab.
The location is the entire upstairs floor above B Hip Kids, behind Ritchie Insurance and across the street from the Bike Shop. There is a glass door leading upstairs next to the alley with the Labs logo on it. I headed over near dark and climbed the stairs to meet the owner. After almost 2 hours of talking and checking the place out I really think this is a great addition to downtown Enid and a fantastic opportunity for local artists. I won't bore you with my thoughts on Art Lab Enid, I'll let you read their own press release below.
Art Lab Enid is the brain child of local Enid, OK artist Robert Hoggard. As a working artist in need of a space to work in, he set out nearly a year ago to try and find a spot where he and other artists could spread out and create. Robert had his sites set on a spot in the Enid Down Town Square area, knowing that the square is a center for activity, close to other shops, eateries and the hub for the “First Friday” activities. After nearly a year of looking, Robert happened on the top floor of the historic Wade building, just north of the square, at 209 ½ Independence Street. It was available, and makes a great space for the artists’ studios Robert envisioned.
Art Lab Enid is a shared space for artists to come together in order to create and be creative. Our hope is to provide a space that fosters creativity, and camaraderie amongst artists of like interests. We hope to foster those interests with activities including “Draw Days” where people will be encouraged to come up and spend an evening doodling, drawing and exchanging creative ideas. Also in the works are “Open Studio” tours during First Fridays where folks can come up and see what our artists are working on and have a chance to speak with the artists about their work and techniques.
With space tentatively allotted for 6 to 7 artists, there are currently 3 to 4 spaces ready to be filled immediately. Some of the amenities provided will include wireless internet, access to a shared wireless color printer, electrical and water costs included in your rent and of course, central heat and air. We have a small kitchenette with coffee maker and a small fridge. All of the studio spaces also have large exterior windows all with blinds. If you are an artist looking for a work space or have any questions about our studios, please don’t hesitate to call us at 539-777-1ART or visit our web site at: www.artlabenid.com.
In order to raise some funds and help with some needed upgrades, they are releasing the official "Art Lab Enid" T-Shirt! Just in time for the holidays! 100% of the profits go directly to updating the Art Lab Enid space so local artists will have a low cost place to collaborate and work on their art. They are printed by the great folks at Privation Printing here in Enid and Designed by Jay Hollopeter, one of their resident artists.
