The first time I visited West Edge Factory I felt like I was dreaming.
The building itself is HUGE, and extremely cool…exposed beams and brick everywhere, remnants of all the ways it served the community since it was built in 1930. It was still rough in places, but absolutely full of energy and possibilities. A woman named Gina Milum was the first to ever walk me through the building. There was already so much going on there…a huge wood shop, organic greenhouses, a solar company, and a recycled t-shirt printing business. Gina’s enthusiasm for the unfinished spaces was infectious. She wildly gestured at the piles of lumber and architectural drawings, showing me where the future black box theater and artist studio spaces would be. When she showed me the turret space, I think my jaw hit the floor. The LIGHT. THE LIGHT in the turret studio is UNREAL. At the time, I didn’t fully comprehend what the space was about, or what we were going to do with it.
Learn more about West Edge and Coalfield Development here.
Fast forward many months, through many in-person and zoom meetings and edits of grant documents, and I am officially an artist-in-resident at West Edge Factory. That beautiful turret space is where I’ll be working and teaching, doing and sharing what I love with the community from now until the summer of 2023. Recently a group of students from Notre Dame came to visit and graciously helped clean the studio, which had been newly fitted with ductwork and outlets.
These Notre Dame students were visiting as part of an Appalachian studies course. I was so thankful for their help!
Seriously, the light in this place. Omg…
I’ve been hard at work developing some community art workshops and ideas for co-created public art that I really can’t wait to share with everyone. The next step is to hire an apprentice who will work alongside me. Things will be rolling full speed ahead in January, so be sure to check back for workshop and event announcements and progress photos.
❤️Sassa