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Artist Robert Wilson leaves his Stamford condominium every morning and heads to 108 Bedford St., where he paints in vacant retail space. He creates at least two new pieces a day in his new studio before leaving at 2 or 3 p.m. Its just me and my music, Wilson says.
On Friday night, Wilson welcomed more than just his music to his temporary studio as the Fernando Luis Alvarez Gallery held the opening for its Sprouting Spaces project. About 50 people stopped by the temporary Bedford Street studio to see what the artist has been up to since moving into his new space.
Wilson didnt mind showing off his new digs because it is much more spacious and nicer than some of his previous studios, which include garages and spare rooms. He hopes other artists and landlords will follow his example and keep the Sprouting Spaces program going. Why let retail space sit closed, when an artist can use it? Wilson says.
Sprouting Spaces is an International Project that Fernando Luis Alvarez has put together to brighten communities by allowing artists to turn vacant commercial spaces into studios for six to 12 months. Wilson is the first artist to go through the Sprouting Spaces project. Alvarez said he is working with a group in Medellin, Colombia, and Istanbul, as well as two Connecticut politicians to make it a statewide program. We didnt even launch yet, and developers started calling."
What do you think of the Sprouting Spaces concept? Share your thoughts below or email reporter Anthony Buzzeo at tbuzzeo@mainstreetconnect.us.
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