- April 18, 2024
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Bela Serrano and Hannah Lieberman, both 13, take an art lesson from Angel Lowden. Photo by Wayne Grant
Niki Mousikos gives a music lesson to Hannah Knapp, 11, at her studio. Photo by Wayne Grant
Angel Lowden and Matt Friese stand in front of art by Lowden with Friese holding samples of his pyrography. Photo by Wayne Grant
Karlene McConnell stands by one of her landscapes. Photo by Wayne Grant
Michele Dupper, co-owner of Steel Oak Coffee, chats with customers Sky Lynn and Joel Tostado at the Saturday coffee tasting. Photo by Wayne Grant
Kavi, who is in galleries in New York and Canada, has a studio in the Railroad Arts District. Photo by Wayne Grant
Teri Althouse poses in her studio in the Railroad Arts District. Photo by Wayne Grant
Rumbling and rattling, the train passes within 20 feet of the strip of shops and offices at 11 Coolidge Ave., providing a moving art show of graffiti.
“It’s kind of cool when the train goes by,” said Angel Lowden, artist. “It fills the area with energy. It’s fascinating to see the graffiti from all over.”
The row of rental spaces looks a little different from other warehouse/industrial buildings in the area with its brick front. And most of the tenants are different also. One artist after the other has moved in, creating a new arts district.
The area has been called the Railroad District for several years, with Ormond Brewing Company located down the tracks on Division Avenue and Steel Oak Coffee in the Coolidge Avenue shops. It’s now becoming known as the Railroad Arts District, with brewing beer and coffee also considered an art.
Lowden, who owns The Studio by Artist Angel Lowden, said the local art scene needs room to grow beyond Granada Boulevard, known as the Ormond Arts District.
“I want a space in our community where creatives can get together and flourish as a business,” she said.
Sharing her studio space is Niki Mousikos, who teaches cello, violin and piano, and Matt Friese, who has a studio for his pyrography. In other studios in the Coolidge Avenue shops, there’s Karlene McConnell, abstract landscapes; Teri Althouse, finishing artist; and Kavi, mixed media.
It’s a row of working studios with Althouse, Lowden, Friese and Mousikos offering lessons and workshops on an appointment basis.
A good time to find artists in residence in on Saturday, which is also a good time because Steel Oak Coffee has coffee tastings each Saturday. Carl and Michele Dupper have operated Steel Oak, which distributes to local restaurants, in the facility since 2016.
Growth of the Railroad Arts District is expected. A new industrial/warehouse building is planned across the street and Lowden looks forward to moving into a larger space. She said local artists who want a studio should watch for openings in the Railroad Arts District.
Being together in the same complex allows artists to share thoughts and ideas.
“Art is solitary work but artists need feedback,” McConnell said.
Althouse agreed, saying it’s motivating to share ideas and get positive criticism.
Lowden said when traveling to places such as Asheville, North Carolina, and Colorado, she sees many warehouse spaces converted to art studios.
“I want to see that happen here,” she said.
