Bridge Artspace in Richmond, formerly a self-storage facility, is undergoing a unique transformation. It’s becoming a one-of-a-kind community art space. Rental units are being gradually outfitted with natural lighting, electricity and water. Our goal for this year is a hundred individual and shared studio spaces for artists of all mediums, a gallery for consignment art and furniture, and one artist in residence position. We’re also scheduling artist workshops and expositions.
Bridge Storage, owned by father and son Jim and Jeff Wright, was built in the Santa Fe Neighborhood of Richmond ten years ago from recycled building materials. With a hidden yet accessible location at 1st and Maine streets, Bridge has never been an ordinary storage space. Bridge has gardens, the beginnings of a fruit orchard, a few private residences and an administrative office that seconds as an art gallery.
Jeff Wright
Jeff Wright states, “I was inspired by the burgeoning art scene in nearby Point Richmond and its revitalization of the neighborhood, and realized the space at Bridge would be perfect for supporting the arts in a number of ways. Facility manager Cheryl Avalos and I brainstormed on how we could convert our spaces into studios and transform our storage facility into an oasis for the arts.”
The transformation has been a collaborative effort; last fall, Bridge Storage sales and marketing manager Scotty Bakke took the lead on the project and brought Sydney Metrick on board to spearhead the transformation. With a background that included two terms on the Richmond Arts and Culture Commission and seven years as one of Point Richmond Music’s producers, Metrick knew the arts and the community well, and will head up events at the Artspace.
Painter Gwendolyn McShepard is the first artist exhibiting in the gallery and was interviewed on the Bridge Artspace blog (soon to feature interviews with artists selected from the RACC artist roster). Clock designer Steve Hurst has moved in as the first artist in residence and the gallery will host his work in late January.
Calendared for winter is a workshop series for artists of all genres who want to build name recognition and increase their business. From “Taking Your Show on the Road” for those interested in joining the art and craft fair circuit, to “Get Booked,” a workshop for bands, Bridge Artspace covers the bases. An art conference and an art business expo are in the planning stages for spring. All businesses that support the arts in any fashion are welcome and invited to inquire for further information, dates to be announced.
