Chandler Branch's Blog
So close we can smell it
- Published on Wednesday, 12 June 2013 21:22
We're nearing the final stages of building our new gallery/café hybrid at 1223 Pine Street in downtown St. Louis. I'm more convinced than ever of what a huge amenity this project will yield for artists and audiences in our community. Seriously, I find myself at a loss for words (if you can believe that) to relay my enthusiasm and growing sense of anticipation. So I'll just put it this way: I think we're creating something very special here, a place our community is going to love--and I use the word "love" deliberately as I believe that's how people will feel about this place. Even in a city blessed with an abundance of arts destinations, this will be utterly unique, a place where local talent is continually celebrated in an inviting way.
Next week marks the launch of an exciting Kickstarter crowd-funding campaign we've prepared to sprint to the finish in our fundraising efforts for this project and to build awareness for our opening in July. Part of what makes Kickstarter unusual and exciting is that it's an all-or-nothing funding platform. Art Saint Louis must collect enough pledges through Kickstarter to reach our goal by July 13, 2013, or else our donors' credit cards will not be charged and no funding will be generated. But that's not going to happen! We're confident in the generosity of the St. Louis community and the value of this project.
The idea with our Kickstarter effort is to earn interest and support from a broad slice of our community, mostly in the form of small campaign pledges. The average campaign pledge on Kickstarter.com is $25. And thanks to our café partners, Mississippi Mud Coffee Roasters, we'll be offering some fantastic perks to our Kickstarter backers (rewards are an important part of the Kickstarter culture). Pledge levels start at $20 and include FIVE delicious, locally-roasted coffee beverages--hot or iced, lattes, dark or light roasts.... And many other rewards await Kickstarter backers who pledge more.
Stay tuned...
Construction Update: Phase One Nearing Completion
- Published on Thursday, 30 May 2013 14:58
Progress continues on building out our new gallery/café space at 1223 Pine Street in the Park Pacific building in downtown St. Louis. Phase One of the project is nearing completion. This includes demolition, wall framing and plumbing rough-in for the café area. Phase Two, which we hope to begin next week, will include installation of ductwork for the heating and cooling system and rough-in of all electrical items. Goals for the third and final phase include installing drywall, floor treatment, lighting fixtures and electrical devices. We hope to have all three phases completed by July, pending neccesary funding.
I'm so grateful for the financial support Art Saint Louis continues to receive from our community, especially from so many artists, on behalf of this relocation project. To those of you who have alreadly stepped up to partner with us in this campaign, I must tell you again how I so appreciate your support! Art Saint Louis is moving forward toward a great future with your help.
The need for funding continues and fundraising efforts are ongoing. Next month we will take the message to the largest possible audience with a community-wide appeal on Kickstarter.com. We'll be offering some fantastic perks for our Kickstarter.com campaign backers, including some delicious, locally-roasted coffee compliments of our café partners, Mississippi Mud Coffee Roasters. Stay tuned for details...
Construction underway on the new gallery & café
- Published on Monday, 20 May 2013 20:14
After so many months of planning and anticipation, I really enjoyed visiting the Park Pacific building this morning and seeing the work underway on our new home at 1223 Pine Street. Seriously, it’s a thrill for me to see this project moving from concept to reality. I just hope the necessary funding will continue to come in so we can see it all through to completion. I’ll write more on that soon. Meanwhile, here’s a video snapshot of this morning’s work in progress:
I was sipping some Mississippi Mud Coffee as I made the rounds this morning and enjoying a blueberry scone compliments of Christopher Ruess, founder and owner of Mississippi Mud Coffee Roasters and our café partner with this project. I do enjoy coffee, and yes, Chris’ gift this morning was absolutely delicious. Up to this point in my life I’ve managed to avoid forming anything in the way of a coffee addiction, but I really don’t know how long I’ll be able to keep that up living with it every day! Guess I’ll just have to take my chances with that.
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LIFE AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ART SAINT LOUIS
New gallery/café hybrid in the making
Art Saint Louis │ 1223 Pine Street │ St. Louis, MO │ 63103 │ p: 314-241-4810 │ 
