ARTSpace Earns Brick in Architecture Award
/
The ARTSPace on Main and ART WORKS, projects of The ARts & Science center, earned accolades from the Brick InDustiry Association. The ARTSpace and ART WORKS are at 623 and 627 S. Main Street in PIne Bluff, adjacent to The Arts & Science Center’s home building.
ASC’s Facility Named Best in Class in Brick Industry Association’s Awards
The Arts & Science Center’s The ARTSpace on Main and ART WORKS facility has earned another architectural accolade.
The Brick Industry Association (BIA) honored the project with the top award in its Historic Renovation category in the 2022 Brick in Architecture Awards, The ARTSpace was nominated among projects from around the world – some as far away as China and Australia.
The ARTSpace was named Best in Class in the Historic Renovation category, in awards announced on March 15. In that category, The ARTSpace ranked higher than an 1846 rowhouse in New York City, a large condo project in Pennsylvania, and a former meat-packing building turned into a multi-use space in Chicago.
The awards are the leading international design competition featuring fired-clay brick, according to the BIA.
The ARTSpace (623 S. Main St.) and ART WORKS (627 S. Main St.) opened in 2021, following an extensive renovation of the century-old commercial buildings. They supplement ASC’s main building at 701 S. Main St. in Pine Bluff. The three facilities comprise ASC’s “ARTx3” campus.
Students from Shalisha Thomas’ art class at Pine Bluff HIgh School tour the exhibition Spectrum Dynamic in the Loft Gallery on March 28, 2023. The Loft Gallery, on the second floor of The ARTSpace on Main, shows off features from the 1920s builidng that were preserved during renovations, including much of the hardwoof flooring, two advertising murals, exposed ceiling beams, and exposed brick.
Dr. Rachel Miller, ASC’s executive director, spearheaded The ARTSpace / ART WORKS project from its inception.
“The project is a wonderful example of historic preservation in contemporary terms as an adaptive reuse project that meets the current needs of the community,” Miller said.
The Brick in Architecture award recognized the architects, AMR Architects Inc. in Little Rock and designLAB architects in Boston; and mason contractor East Harding Construction.
“AMR has thoroughly enjoyed working with Dr. Miller and ASC to continue their efforts to expand programs and their outreach in the Pine Bluff community,” said James Sullivan, principal at AMR Architects.
“We are proud to be part of the continued revitalization of downtown Main Street, and winning the Brick in Architecture Award is a testament to all our efforts to invest in the rich historic fabric of our community, and how that can inspire everyone to invest in their communities as well,” Sullivan said.
This award is the latest accolade for ASC’s facility. Other awards that The ARTSpace has earned include:
2022 Main Street Arkansas: Outstanding Adaptive Re-Use Project
2021 Arkansas Preservation Awards: Outstanding Achievement in Adaptive Reuse – Award
2021 American Institute of Architects (AIA) Arkansas Design Awards: Merit Award
2021 American Society of Interior Design (ASID) South Central Chapter: Bronze Award for Adaptive Reuse
The adjoining buildings were constructed in the 1920s. The building now home to The ARTSpace previously served as storage and workspace for the ASC. Its various uses over the years included a car dealership and even a fire station. The ART WORKS building was most recently an auto parts store.
Renovations in 2020-2021 converted the dark, industrial buildings into bright, open multifunctional spaces. The construction work preserved many of the buildings’ original features, including much of the hardwood flooring, two advertising murals, and tin ceiling tiles. Much of the century-old brickwork was also left exposed inside.
The ARTSpace and ART WORKS project was generously funded by the Windgate Foundation, the Mid-America Arts Alliance, the National Endowment of the Arts, and the state arts agencies of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas. It was also supported by the Kline Family Foundation and from donations to the Adam B. Robinson Jr. Endowment Fund.
The ARTSpace includes the Windgate Community Gallery, the Loft Gallery, Kline Family Foundation Event Gallery, a computer lab, a costume shop, a large art studio/workshop, and the ART Yard. The Pine Bluff Advertising & Promotion Commission and Explore Pine Bluff tourism office is also located in the building.
ART WORKS is home to the Adam B. Robinson Jr. Black Box Theater, a lobby with a ticket and concession bar, and five artist apartments with studios. Combined, the two buildings offer about 22,000 square feet of space.
Many of the spaces are available to book for private events and photoshoots.
The facility hosts workshops and classes, art exhibitions, and special programs. Since 2021, five ASC theater productions have been staged in the black box theater, with two more scheduled for 2023. ASC also held its 2022 Potpourri fundraising gala in the facility.
For more information about The ARTSpace and ART WORKS facility and upcoming events there, visit asc701.org/artspace.
