After posting all about the Apex Belltown Co-op I realized I completely left out sharing my actual studio space with you! So here’s a little tour of my little 220 square foot art & private living space within my community household. To my left is a queen size loft bed with a closet underneath. Beyond that is pure studio work space.
In the comments of my last post introducing the Apex, Terri posed some questions:
Q: do you feel cramped?
A: Yes, actually I am starting to. Right now I’m getting ready for several art shows and I have started yearning for a studio space separate from where I sleep. Most recently aggravated by literally tripping over one of my pieces I had left out on the floor the night before. Yikes!
Q: do you ever long for a little privacy? a space of your own?
A: Yes & yes. My room & studio is private, but it is located directly across the hall from a pretty social kitchen. It can be difficult sometimes to be in full on creative mode and then step out for a glass of water or some such and end up sucked into conversation and a social scene. My own self-discipline is something I struggle with constantly within my community relationships.
Q: is there a shared studio space?
A: Oh my do I WISH! There has been talk of creating something – a shared darkroom / studio / guest bedroom but we’ve never been able to quite figure it out thus far. I think that is something that is best to set up right from the beginning rather than trying to add in / build later on. If I were to start my dream cooperative this would be usage for the largest room available!
Q: besides the thought of chickens, what would you do differently?
A: Either pick up my household and move it entirely – a corner double lot in one of Seattle’s great neighborhoods is often dreamed about – OR that notwithstanding I’d replace the roof entirely with a green roof system for a true community garden / green space. It also would be grand if we could combine the 4 kitchens into just one giant commercial kitchen space. It’s too easy to get insulated into your kitchen group and thereby go weeks without seeing some of my housemates! I would also love to restructure some of the room layouts to better accommodate families.
So yeah – basically I’d remodel the entire building!
Now, if I were TRULY dreaming I would envision something similar to Cae Mabon in Wales – part eco village and part art project – what’s not to love? One of these days I’ll take a Cobb Building Workshop – I will I will!
April 6, 2010 at 3:21 am |
Thank you, Sarah! Cae Mabon!?!?! Um, hello—LOVE!!! So your situation reminds me so much of dorm living. I can see the desire to take what you have and add some open air. hm. . . .
June 9, 2010 at 5:48 pm |
[...] Yep – the same Apex Co-op that was previously posted about here & here. [...]