ArtSpace showcases talent

from Farmville 2019

Foskey inspires youth

EAST CAROLINA ArtSpace

A place for collaboration

Story & Photos by Donna Marie Williams

The East Carolina ArtSpace is unique both in its design and concept and houses the work of many talented artisans as well as other business.

Craig Steffee, a physician and pathologist, and Tom Edwards, the owner of Todd D. Edwards Construction Co., opened the ArtSpace in October 2017. The 12,000-square-foot building features an art gallery on the first floor, along with three retail offices and a conference room.

The second floor houses seven studios and a

common space. The ArtSpace is located in the former Sheppard Building, which was built in 1907 and has been home to a number of enterprises. “One of the most interesting uses of the building was in the late 1920’s when four Farmville physicians joined together to share resources and practice together on the second floor. Ninety years later, we are banding together to share resources, in that very space previously occupied by the physicians,” Steffee said.

At some point in its history, the Sheppard Building was split into two different properties. One of the divided properties went on to become Pierce Insurance and was later home

to the ArtSpace. In May 2018, Steffee and Edwards decided to merge the two buildings back together and expand the ArtSpace. “The building had been divided into two parts. We joined them back together. We had to do down to the stud renovations. We

were able to save the important parts and modernize it at the same time,” Edwards said. Steffee added, “This building has had many lives and occupants over the hundredplus years that it has stood on Main Street. It was divided into two separate properties many years ago, and I am proud that we have been able to reunify it, honoring the past while bringing it forward into a contemporary usage.” Renovations were completed, and the ArtSpace reopened to its full potential Jan. 9, 2019.

The modernization of the ArtSpace is predominantly felt downstairs where the art gallery exists while the upper half of the building maintains its “old world” charm. The aesthetics of the building played a large role in Chad Winstead and his wife, Beth’s decision to lease a studio for their

photography business Winstead Photo & Video.

“It’s great. What drew us to this place was the old time feel. They’re putting a modern spin on it as well. It’s kind of like a blend of old and new together. We really like that when we are shooting in the studio,” Winstead said. The couple had searched for a place outside of their home to operate for many months before they discovered the ArtSpace. “It gives me a space away from my home to edit and some peace and quiet,” Winstead said.

Winstead Photo & Video is located on the

second floor.

“It offers studio space and space where I can show customers albums we create for

them. It gives me space to photograph, if we need it. It’s perfect for photography too … we’re able to pull off three to four different looks in the studio at the same time,” Winstead said. The couple has operated Winstead Photo & Video for six years and has become known for their wedding photography. “We have done close to 200 weddings. We have a different photography style. We’re known for our lighting and story telling images,” Winstead said. “Our style is more of a modern and dramatic take on

photography that focuses more on candid moments that don’t look candid. We attract

the nontraditional wedding crowd-somebody looking for something different.” Winstead Photo & Video are one of three

photographers to have space in the ArtSpace.

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Magnolia Photography, owned by Michele Butterfield, and E.L. Crutchfield Photography, owned by Erica Letchworth, operate out of offices located upstairs. A common room adjoins the offices of the photographers and helps to foster engagement between the tenants, which is a goal of the ArtSpace. Winstead Photo & Video has also utilized

the common room to host photography workshops for those interested in learning more about photography. “We did photography workshops. It’s something to offer in that space where other creative photographers can come and learn from us,” Winstead said.

Plans for the common room are evolving with the hope the room would be used by all tenets of the building to collaborate with each other, Edwards said.

The business model of the ArtSpace is designed to help foster engagement and collaboration from the tenants of the building. “The purpose of the ArtSpace is much more than simply sharing physical space with like minded individuals. By bringing artists and other creative professionals together to share resources, consult with and learn from

each other and work together, we hope to lift all boats … and to encourage each creative individual’s own entrepreneurial endeavors, giving them a place to begin or build a livelihood — and to put down roots,” Steffee said.

Edwards and Steffee both desire for the

ArtSpace to bring artists and other creative professionals together to collaborate, share resources and learn from each other.

“We’re just super excited about the business model itself. We’re using the art gallery as the glue. Hopefully, we have an environment where everybody can learn from each other. It’s a good symbiotic relationship,” Edwards said.

Artisans and business owner each bring a unique set of skills to the table. Business owners occupying studios in the ArtSpace have experience with developing business plans as well as experience with advertising and marketing while artisans bring creativity to the table and can bring a new perspective. By fostering an atmosphere that inspires collaboration, the two will better their

chances for success and helps to prevent the two groups from finding themselves in a rut, Edwards said.

“That kind of place where folks feed off each other, that’s our end goal. We want to be a place that’s affordable, supportive and folks can come take advantage of creative culture,” Edwards said.

The business model of the ArtSpace is designed to help foster engagement and collaboration from the tenants of the building.

Elizabeth Edwards, the owner of Elizabeth Edwards Interiors, looks through fabric samples. Chad Winstead of Winstead Photo & Video enjoys his office space and shared studio located in the East Carolina ArtSpace.

Lori Drake, the executive director of the Farmville Chamber of Commerce, believes the chamber’s move into the ArtSpace enhances the town’s mission to promote the arts.

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The ArtSpace also desires to keep the facility as local as possible with the art gallery, which features 37 artists.

“The gallery focuses on eastern North Carolina. You have to be an artist living in eastern North Carolina, from eastern North Carolina or have art about eastern North

Carolina to be exhibited in the gallery,” Edwards said.

Artists Mark and Lynn Golitz of Morehead City are one of many to display their art in the ArtSpace. Mark has pottery while Lynn has several paintings. “This is mind blowing. This is incredible. I am so honored to (have art) in this area. (ArtSpace) gives artists the opportunity to showcase unabridged creativity, which really excited me. It’s validating to me as an artist,” Lynn said. The ArtSpace’s gallery extends from just including paintings and sculptures and encompasses a range of artisan work, like the work of Farmville blacksmith Kevin Cameron.

“There is a huge art revival that Farmville is promoting in the city. I approached the ArtSpace to display and sell my work as a blacksmith and artist. They had been looking for a local blacksmith to add to their other

artists. For me, it’s all about promoting the lost craft of blacksmithing and metalworking. It’s a craft that’s been long forgotten,” Cameron said.

Cameron is a former U.S. Marine and the

owner of Farmville-based Paradon Forge. “I used a traditional coal forge. There is just something really primitive about it. Taking a piece of steel somebody wouldn’t even look at twice and forging it into something someone can use. Everything I use is all scrap metal. It’s all recycled. I don’t order steel online like other smiths do. When I step into that shop, I just feel like I’m back in Thomas Jefferson’s farm, back in 1700s. I just can’t explain it. When I walk into that shop, it’s a whole different world,” Cameron said. The only electric tool Cameron uses is one he constructed himself from various scrap metal he calls the Appalachian Hammer. The Hammer is a 250-pound Ram that assists Cameron in shaping metal. Cameron is best known for his tomahawks, which are displayed along with several knives Cameron forged. “That’s what I’m known internationally for. I’ve shipped them all over the world. They look cool for one thing. They are kind of graceful,” Cameron said.

Also housed on the first floor of the

ArtSpace is Elizabeth Edwards Interiors. The business offers customers a customizable

interior design experience. “This is my design studio. It’s more of like an office. It’s where I keep my samples and supplies. It’s kind of my home base,” Elizabeth said.

Elizabeth values the exposure of being located on Main Street gives her business. “I never thought I would have a space like this as my first office. It’s beautiful. I love being on Main Street and seeing Main Street grow. I like being a part of that, especially as a new Farmville resident. I don’t do a lot of

advertising, so having my name on the front door helps me a lot,” Elizabeth said. It also serves as a convenient location for

her business.

“Being central downtown, I can walk to the bank, post office and walk to get coffee,” Elizabeth said.

The location of Elizabeth Edwards Interiors

also allows for creativity for Elizabeth and her

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customers.

“Being in a design business and being in such a beautiful building with natural light and being in my space in general is inspiring. Since I’m just starting out, I don’t have a full portfolio. When customers do come to my studio, it gives them an immediate sense of my design styles and style,” Elizabeth said. Customers also must first walk through a portion of the art gallery before arriving at the office.

“It does provide customers an experience where they can come to my office and touch and feel samples. It adds another layer of what I can offer my clients,” Elizabeth said, adding customers also have the option of selecting art pieces for their home. In April, the Farmville Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center also became

one of the tenants of the ArtSpace leaving its space across the street. “I think this is wonderful for the chamber.

We’re really trying to position Farmville as a community for the arts. The minute they walk in the door, they are immediately seeing the artwork. It helps get your message across that we are an arts community. Where we’re located is so in line with what we’re trying to accomplish with the arts,” said Lori Drake, the executive director of the Farmville Chamber

of Commerce and Visitor Center.

The chamber occupies one of the two main doors into the ArtSpace. “There is a lot of creative activity in Farmville. The chamber wants to highlight that. The chamber is dedicated to making the space inviting and it casts Farmville into a unique space. We certainly hope to bring a lot of shoppers from out of town. We want to show them what we have to offer. They can come to the chamber and see what else is

going on here,” Edwards said. Having the chamber in the ArtSpace helps create a visualization of the creative artisan

culture the town of Farmville is seeking, he added. “People walk away with such a positive impression of Farmville. People say they don’t expect to find this caliber (of art) in Farmville. People expect to see something like this in a large city,” Edwards said. Steffee said, “Having the chamber under our roof is a natural reflection of the town

of Farmville’s emphasis on the arts and creative industries as a central component of downtown revitalization and growth. The presence of the chamber adjacent to the gallery and artist studios invites interactions between the growing artist and creative community and the established business community. Each group can learn a great deal from the other.”

East Carolina ArtSpace, 3747 S. Main St., Farmville, is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and by appointment. To schedule an appointment, call 252-717-5064. For more information,

visit at eastcarolinaartspace.com online.

H.B. Sugg High School alumni going the extra mile to making Farmville an ideal community! All School Reunion lAboR DAy WeekenD 2020