Frozen Time Check

On Saturday, October 17th, I took visited the Load of Fun studios as part of the School33 Art Center Open Studio Tour. On this day, over 175 artists opened their work space and art to the public.

Here is a list of every artist and studio participating that day.
http://www.school33.org/index.cfm?page=events&section=4&subsection=studioParticipants

I had the pleasure of discussing Station North developments with 3 of the artists in the Load of Fun space: Jennifer Berk, Sergio Martinez, and Spoon Popkin.

These are my field notes for each interview...

Jennifer Berk: Oil Painter
-Born and raised in Bolton Hill
-Loves living in Baltimore, feels that the artist community is vibrant for the city
-Thinks that gentrification is a good thing because areas of the city need to draw in talented and productive people to replace abandoned buildings and eliminate crime.
-She believes that there will always be areas to catch those who are displaced
-Their landlord is constantly at the studio fixing up the space to meet codes through is own sweat equity; nothing is done for profit
-believes MICA helps stimulate the community with a constant flow of new artists and through rejuvenating the image of the city with new buildings.
-The accessibility of art studios and venues is incredibly important for local artists to be engaged in the community i.e. areas in walking distance

Sergio Martinez- Wood Worker
-Moved to Baltimore 4 years ago from Washington, DC
-It was the obvious choice because DC was sterile and snooty, did not cultivate his creativity; Baltimore's art community was recognized and he wanted to become apart of it; there's always something going on, very hip city
-He was also at the mercy of incredibly expensive DC rent; Baltimore was much more affordable
-He came to Baltimore and immediately found a space in Loads of Fun; originally he was on the bottom floor, but space opened up on the 2nd floor and was much more conducive for him, especially because of the light
-He plans to buy a home very soon
-He believes that gentrification is benefiting Station North through the reuse of old buildings
-He enjoys the antiquity of Baltimore and its laid back setting, and doesn't believe that new-build should occur in areas around the train station and Greenmount West; it would destroy the authentic look of the area
-No to big developers
-Yes to influx of artists and DIY living style, has his own opinions on displacement and doesn't feel it's a bad thing for the kind of living style they are trying to accomplish

Spoon Popkin- mixed media artist, painter, drawer

-She grew up in North Carolina, came to MICA for college in 1986, and has stayed.
-Feels that gentrification hasn't really happened here since there hasn't been a terribly large amount of redevelopment, only that there has been renovation of existent vacated buildings
-The only instance of displacement she has seen is the closing down of the New York Fried Chicken shop and the check cashing store below her studio.
-Says the neighborhood is a great deal safer since the turn of the century
-Has noticed the great changes that have taken place since the 2002 designation; safer community, more stores, shops, venues and greater accessibility for artists
-Once joe squared opened it was all uphill
-Understands that artists are the shock-troops for gentrification but hopes that new-build does not happen
-Enjoys the accessibility of the neighborhood, the friendly people, and the walkable streets