Despite its burgeoning arts scene, Lander can be a tough place for artists to make a living. That’s especially true for creators relying on tourism and retail sales, which drop off significantly in the winter. With the closing of a Main Street studio co-op that had served as an ad-hoc hub for local creatives, a local artist and downtown shop owner wanted to more formally coordinate, nurture, and showcase the many artists creating and selling work in the community. Her vision was to create the Lander Art District, using her historic building as an anchor for multiple studio spaces and creative businesses.
Impact
In addition to housing a new bakery, an artists’ retail co-op, and a public art gallery, the idea helped provide studio space—The Studios Creative Workspace—to five artists at a reduced rate, with funding from LOR, which subsidized a portion of the rental costs. The Lander Art District has become a thriving micro-neighborhood with room to grow, supporting the local art scene and many new businesses, and drawing newcomers and old-timers alike.
