James Russel May. Photo by Frankie Steele.
R
omero Britto has said, “Art is too important not to share.” The operators of Art Sanctuary would probably concur with this statement while adding that space to make art is also too important not to share. The local 501(c)3 arts nonprofit provides an oasis for creatives, where they can rent low-cost studio spaces and find inspiration in one another. The idea for Art Sanctuary came from Board President and Founder Lisa Frye,
who launched the collective out of her home in 2003. “I started this because all of the artists I knew were so talented but didn’t have a place to put their work 16 years ago,” says Frye. “They didn’t have a million coffee shops, and most of the places that were around didn’t have local work hanging.” Initially, Frye would invite creators to showcase their work in different venues throughout the city, but the organization eventually landed at their permanent facility in Germantown in 2011. Here, they have given artists a place to create, showcase and collaborate. The size of rentable studio spaces range from small corners to vast rooms with the cost starting at $50 per month. “We thought through what was needed and where the holes were in what this city had to offer,” says artist and Vice President of the Board Britany Baker. “Louisville just didn’t have anything that inexpensive, so we wanted to make this as affordable as possible.” Each of the resident artists can also work in the massive common areas, and they
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I started [Art Sanctuary] because all of the artists I knew were so talented but didn’t have a place to put their work 16 years ago.” — Lisa Frye
Left: Rita Cameron. Photo by Frankie Steele.
AUGUST 2019
VO I C E -T R I B U N E . C O M |
THE VOICE OF LOUISVILLE
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