OPEN HOUSE
Mike Klemme couldn't have had a better 61st birthday. Hundreds of guests turned out on First Friday to get a firsthand glimpse of the public unveiling of Creative HQ. Klemme and his family have transformed the historic Rude Hardware building into a collaborative space occupied by some of Enid's most creative individuals.
Temperatures may have been cold on the outside but the bright lights in front and the activity inside drew a great majority of First Friday participants. Guests were treated to live music provided by Those Guys, a very popular ensemble that kept things going the entire evening.
Creative HQ, the newest old building in Enid, hosted the huge Open House on First Friday, February 7. Located in the former Rude Hardware Building at 222 E. Maple, this historic brick (building) now houses 10 unique creative entities.
The brain-child and hope of Mike Klemme, it has attracted a cadre of creative individuals. The operation is anchored by the Klemme family: Bobsbarn, Klemme Photography, and Klemme Construction. It is located on the first and only remaining brick street in Enid.
As visitors entered the building they found the hallway filled with tables of appetizers, veggies, cookies and desserts. Food was provided by Klemme and the different businesses located throughout the building. Pane Vino provided a cash bar while hot chocolate was provided to those looking for a quick warm up.
Guests included the usual First Friday crowd along with many curious business owners that dropped by to investigate the services offered. Members and staff from the Chamber, News & Eagle, ERDA, Visit Enid, Global Spectrum and others were given tours and introduced to HQ members. There were give-a-way drawings in almost every office including a free notebook computer, a free $500 webamercial, a free party at Pearl Junkie Palace, t-shirts and more.
Creative HQ is made up of two physical buildings. The smaller west building has its own entrance along with a connecting door to the larger HQ structure. There is a public front entrance from Maple and side entrance on the west. When you enter from the west you are treated to a hallway that takes you to the kitchen and conference area. This space not only serves as a break room but also an available meeting room. Filled with a conference table and large screen TV, HQ members are free to use the facilities whenever needed.
Kevin Friesen with Friesen Design was the first to join Creative HQ and occupies the smaller west building. He was followed closely by Luke Anton with Red Dirt Technologies and then Jack Quirk and Renee Settelmires of KJ Productions. Creative Arts Enid has taken the front window space with a large contingency of artists and teachers. They recently moved from their old location on N. Washington.
Bruce Thomas with Landmark Real Estate offices along the Gallery corridor as well as the most recent addition of Curtis Tucker and Ty Tompkins with Enid Buzz and Best Day Studio. Soon to come will be T&A Productions, an event planning company operated by Tammy Wilson and Amy Kelly.
The event was live streamed over the Internet on www.enidbuzz.tv. and came to a close after the 9pm ending time. Guests, friends and family surprised Klemme with a rendition of "Happy Birthday" and his very own birthday cake. Participants of the new HQ look forward to hosting more events and First Friday activities in the future.
MORE ABOUT CREATIVE HQ
CREATIVE ARTS ENID
Charlotte Williams, Executive Director
Creative Arts Enid is a non-profit organization offering instruction in classical art forms. Our mission is to provide art experiences to the community with a variety of art classes for all ages. Heidi Glasgow, Director of Creative Arts in Schools Through the generosity of community businesses, we are pleased to provide art lessons at local elementary schools. This effective model brings arts and culture right into the classroom throughout the school year! Students study Master Artists and create an original piece in that style. For more information about classes, teaching or contributing please stop by our studio for a look, check out our website.
ENID BUZZ MEDIA & BEST DAY STUDIO
Curtis Tucker, Owner
Ty Tompkins, Owner
Enid Buzz is an independent entertainment, business and information source for Enid and Northwest Oklahoma. We are a multimedia source using websites, blogs, Facebook, mobile apps and a live streaming Internet channel to help us cover what’s going on in the Enid area and present it to residents quickly and accurately. Enid Buzz Media brings to light the Enid of today and yesteryear through a combination of articles, photographs, videos and live streaming events. Best Day Studio has joined forces with the Buzz to create a single source of local real estate information and knowledge. Ty can guide you through buying and selling with the use of video and expert advice from professionals.
FRIESEN DESIGN
Kevin Friesen, Owner
Friesen Design is a creative services company offering branding, print, web, and interactive publications for tablets and mobile.. Our specialty is leading companies and organizations in differentiating themselves within a crowded marketplace. We use design to delight, inspire, provide credibility, and foster consumer trust and brand loyalty. Locally, one of our most identifiable projects has been the design and implementation of the new Enid branding campaign.
KJ PRODUCTIONS
Jack Quirk, Owner
Renee Settlemires
KJ Product ions is a multi faceted multimedia company specializing in video production services that allow our clients to communicate in today’s digital world. Whether you are looking to increase sales, garner donations, enhance awareness, or promote education, there’s not a job too large or too small for our talented team to handle. If you are seeking video production in Enid, or anywhere else across the globe, we can create video content for you that is entertaining, creative, and most importantly, effective.
KLEMME CONSTRUCTION
Brett Klemme, Owner
Lindsey Klemme, Co-owner
Klemme Construction is a multi-disciplined commercial and residential building and remodeling entity. Practicing old world craftsmanship and ethics coupled with new materials and digital methodologies.
LANDMARK REAL ESTATE OF ENID
Bruce Thomas, Owner
Bruce provides residential and commercial real estate brokerage services for Enid and Garfield County. With over 40 years of experience and on-the-job training, Landmark is your real estate solution.
MIKE KLEMME PHOTOGRAPHY
Mike Klemme, Owner
Suzanne Klemme, Co-Owner
MKP is a multi-faceted image driven business specializing in corporate and healthcare art consultation, production and installation. Additionally, we are custom publishers, image licensors and actively pursuing golf course and resort assignment photography worldwide.
RED DIRT TECHNOLOGIES
Luke Anton, Owner
With over a decade of professional experience, Red Dirt Technologies provides services for laptop and desktop computers, smart phones, and 24/7 technology support for local businesses.
T&A PRODUCTIONS
Amy Kelly, Co-Owner
Tammy Wilson, Co-Owner
We are an event planning service that focuses on community development and involvement as well as enticing people from other communities to visit ours. With several years of grass roots event planning and event management experience, we are able to plan fundraisers, parties, festivals, trade shows, conventions, or meetings. We can provide a quality event so that you don’t have to be burdened with planning so you can focus on your other obligations.
