Short Description Ground Floor Artists offers resources to students, professionals, and arts enthusiasts of all ages, including art classes, exhibitions, events, performances, open media-specific studios (clay, print, and makers), free and low cost after school art programs, Special needs classes, public art projects, long-term studio space to artists and teachers, and short-term rental facilities to artists, performers, and other organizations.
Ground Floor Artists has two phases. Phase I is located on 13343 W Foxfire dr. in Surprise, Arizona. This location will contain initial 7 artists studios, open studio/classroom, and clay studio. After the Phase II location is completed this location will become a Print Arts studio. Phase II will have 24 artist studios, 2 gallery spaces in addition to 3 class room spaces. Some of these spaces are dedicated to gallery space, program facilities, performance space, short-term rentals and offices. Artists occupy the remaining studios.
Long Description Ground Floor Artists was founded by Kelley Smith and Padraic Murphy as a place for artists to gather and create. Phoenix West Valley has many talented artists. Some are just emerging, some are mid career change, yet others are retired and perusing their passion. There are several barriers for artists in Phoenix West Valley. Many young artists coming from an academic setting find that they no longer have access to state of the art equipment after leaving school. Another segment are those artists that have an interest in learning a new medium or technique, mid career artists, hobbyists and retirees. They are looking to produce printed art projects, sculptures, jewelry, metal work, ceramics and other mediums without a large capital investment in equipment and space. Cost of equipment can be prohibitive. Owning specialized equipment for individual use can take years to justify the expense. Space to produce their creations can be expensive and not conducive to producing their art. Artists are seldom good business people, their focus is on creating, they need support and mentoring in understanding the business of art. The final barrier for most artists is the fact that they need other artists around them to develop ideas, learn new techniques, and find community and others with similar interest in art. Ground Floor Artists center is the place where these barriers are addressed through support staff, affordable collaborative workspaces and state of the art equipment that is available for all members.
