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Artist Rachel Blodgett and Studio Director Gregory Brown in Blodgett's studio at The Studio Santa Rosaphoto credit: Michelle Marques
Sonoma County’s oldest artist studios are hosting a 40th anniversary Open Studios event the weekend of December 7th and 8th, 2024.
The Studio Santa Rosa is a collection of artist studios on the outskirts of Santa Rosa. Gregory Brown is the director.
“Well, it started like in 1984," Brown said. "I was driving down the street and saw these buildings for rent, and said, 'Oh, I want ‘em,' and then I went back home and told my wife, and she thought I was crazy. But here I am 40 years later, still running art studios," said Brown with a laugh.
The buildings are two former naval barracks that were part of a military airport commissioned in 1943. What’s left of the two airstrips are still partially visible on satellite images, and surrounding street names nod to famous pilots like Earhart Avenue and Yeager Drive.
Brown says there have been some interesting uses of the space once artists moved in.
“There was a pirate radio station at one time. We finally had to tell them to go because they were too crazy. And yes, there’s been a few like, groups that came here and played music. It was in the other building. In back there’s an old bunker that was used like a practice room," Brown said. When asked what kind of music was played, Brown replied, "Probably punk, you know that’s what it was at the time.”
Now the halls are much quieter with artists creating work in various mediums from paintings, fiber arts and jewelry, to sculpture, print making and collage.
Brown walked down the hallway, where artists hang samples of their work, to a studio in the corner of the building where Rachel Blodgett packed orders for shipping.
With a knock on the door, Brown asked, “Rachel? Hey, you got a minute, would you like to be on the radio?”
Blodgett’s studio is flooded with sunshine and there are shelves covered in colorful dyed fabrics, as well as racks of clothing, and art supplies everywhere. She said she values the tranquility her studio provides.
“It’s this kind of quiet corner of town that’s tucked away. And the artists, like we’re really kind and supportive with each other, but we also kind of hermit out in our studios," Blodgett explained.
Blodgett said she is looking forward to the Open Studios weekend as an opportunity to interact and peel back the curtain.
“My favorite art often, that people make is the stuff that’s in progress, and sometimes they’re like weird experiments that are around in the studio. So I really like visiting the studios because you can see unfinished work, and you can see people’s paint palettes out," said Blodgett.
In a space with this much history, Blodgett said she does think the halls still echo with memories of those who came before.
“I used to have a studio in the other building, ‘cause there are two big art studio buildings here. And the other one I felt like was more haunted," said Blodgett with a laugh. "So I kind of appreciate being in the less haunted – maybe its because my space is really sunny.”
Brown said he periodically uses sage to clear out the space and welcome in more positive energy.
Blodgett said there is something profound about how the buildings have been transformed.
“I like that it’s a military building that became an art building," mused Blodgett.
The Studio Santa Rosa 40th anniversary free Open Studios is happening December 7th and 8th, 2024 from 11am to 5pm each day at 3840 Finley Avenue in Santa Rosa.
