View Full Version : Studio at Colton to close...
http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2009/06/new_orleans_artist_colony_at_c.html
duende
06-11-2009, 10:10 AM
Well, that's bittersweet news for the arts community that had "settled" in the building... the city giveth and the city taketh away. I'll probably have more regrets about not visiting once during Fest, even tho' we stayed 5 blocks away. d'oh!
Having stayed in the vicinity, am I alone in wondering if that stretch of St. Claude is still suitable for small chil'ren - especially in the afternoon hours after the neighborhood has sufficiently waked & baked? Adult artist-types are accustomed to fringe studio settings (they're always the cheapest to rent), but kids? I know I'm straying here, but if I was a conspiracy theorist, I'd think that having an active elementary school on the block would be the surest way to halt the rumoured conversion of that strip of St. Claude into the new bohemian community, a la Frenchmen St.
The displaced artists should look into the "abandoned" adult education facility - formerly a city school - at Pauger & St. Claude. Sweat equity would be required to re-hab it, but it isn't in a warehouse by the tracks (an all-too-common art studio theme out west).
Corona
06-12-2009, 07:23 AM
oh poo :(
Belle
06-12-2009, 08:00 AM
Very sad. They knew it was temporary housing but is a real loss to the New Orleans art community.
Where is Papafrog? I feel just terrible for him. There was so much hope and good work going on at the Colton.
By the way the article was just filled with really poor writing and spelling. TP standards slipping away ....
larrybalmur
06-12-2009, 08:43 AM
I have it from very good local sources that the head of the board quoted in the article pretty much wrecks everything she touches in the non profit community. Too bad, sounded like an excellent idea.
Frosty
06-12-2009, 08:53 AM
I have it from very good local sources that the head of the board quoted in the article pretty much wrecks everything she touches in the non profit community. Too bad, sounded like an excellent idea.
I heard from a friend of a friend of someone who talked to someone on an airplane that she also runs the sound for Jazz Fest Live. Just what I heard.
larrybalmur
06-12-2009, 09:33 AM
I see my reputation is cemented.Call me curmudgeon. Received my Johnny Sketch jazzfest live cd yesterday and it's awesome.
chrisjoseph
06-12-2009, 09:50 AM
wow, this is amazing. I wasn't aware that the Studio at Colton was running on a temporary lease....was anyone else aware of that?
wow, this is amazing. I wasn't aware that the Studio at Colton was running on a temporary lease....was anyone else aware of that?
Offbeat had some info on this a couple of weeks ago.
http://www.nojazzfest.com/chat/showpost.php?p=266992&postcount=21
Frosty
06-12-2009, 11:34 AM
I see my reputation is cemented.Call me curmudgeon. Received my Johnny Sketch jazzfest live cd yesterday and it's awesome.
I'm not a big fan on blasting others based on "someone said". Put a source to it or everything that follows is meaningless.
larrybalmur
06-12-2009, 12:03 PM
My source is a well respected head of a local non-profit who butted heads with Jeanne, the head of Colton. He/She (correctly)told me at JAzzfest that they were grossly mis-managed and would run out of money soon. Hmmm........ I haven't asked for permission to use the name so it remains unattributed to anything but my (seemingly correct) hearsay
Again, I think it was a terrific idea not properly realized.
Delta
06-12-2009, 02:03 PM
If it was a temporary lease arrangement to begin with, what does mis-management have to do with it? Even Street Talk mentioned the temporary nature of the location when they did a segment on it. Your comments are the only I've seen making the accusation of mis-management. Maybe the head-butting incident has colored the opinions of your friend?
Orleansnj
06-12-2009, 02:18 PM
all reasons/hearsay/etc aside...the reality is - they are looking for a space.
What's up with the former location of Cafe Brazil? Right? Can anyone else see that as a perfect fit?
Delta
06-12-2009, 02:36 PM
Cafe Brazil is about 1/10th the size they need to move everything over there. The woodshop/ceramic studios alone are larger than the whole Cafe Brazil building I think and that's not even including the kitchen for the culinary training.
They're supposedly looking at other schools, but the master plan still being up in the air has hindered that because they may wind up right back where they are now until it's definitively decided what's re-opening and what the time line for that is.
Belle
06-12-2009, 04:49 PM
wow, this is amazing. I wasn't aware that the Studio at Colton was running on a temporary lease....was anyone else aware of that?
yes
mightyradgumbo
06-12-2009, 07:03 PM
I think everyone that had a space knew of the possible short-term nature. I knew of it through one of the people that was working with a collaborative group there. If Paul Vallas has anything to do with relocating the displaced program members I believe it will turn out ok. This guy has really done yeoman's work for the school system here and the kids of New Orleans.
To somewhat back LBs claim that Jean Nathan has less than a gold touch, I have heard that same claim from others that have worked in projects she has managed. But, in her defense she managed to house a phenomonally diverse and well-received collective for several months for zap. She should be commended for that effort for sure. Not for profits are (as the TH community knows) are often a labor of love, so bravo for her efforts.