A new artist co-working space called Centrally Oregon is opening in Sunriver. “I want to have artists and professionals feel like they have a community, a place to get work done with everything they need close at hand. It will be a place that you will want to spend time,” explains founder Stephanie Gregory. She’s worked remotely for the past four years and understands the desire of having a place to go outside of the home and be part of community. “There isn’t anything like that in southern Deschutes County,” she says.
Centrally Oregon, which is in Sunriver plaza near the Century Commons Taps & Trucks, will be a membership-based organization with a monthly fee. The space will be open weekdays during business hours, but Gregory says members will have key cards so they can access the space after hours. In the evenings and on weekends, she plans to host events, like open mic nights, classes or lectures, which will be open to the public.
“We will also facilitate a space for artists to display and sell their work, be it books, paintings, whatever!” Gregory earned a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from OSU-Cascades. (Disclosure: Gregory is a freelance writer for the Source.)
“During my time at OSU-Cascades, there was such a focus on building a community of artists, workshopping, inspiring each other, being in a supportive environment. I hosted a spoken word open mic where writers of all kinds came to share their work. It was such an amazing space, I wanted to continue that work,” she says. “I was looking for a place that would be dedicated to artists of all genres and when I found there was no space that fit what I was looking for, I decided to create one!”
She’s currently putting the finishing touches on the space. “One thing that is important to me personally is sustainability, and I am bringing that spirit to Centrally Oregon by furnishing the space with really wonderful secondhand pieces.” She’s accepting donations of books, magazines and art supplies.
Gregory is planning a grand opening celebration on June 13 with live music, snacks and beverages that will be open to the public, giving folks a chance to stop by and see what the space is all about.
Centrally Oregon Art & Co-Working Studio
Grand Opening Celebration
Sat, June 13 4-6pm
56880 Venture Lane Ste 220N, Sunriver
centrallyoregon.com/
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