By Denise Dempsey
Davis, California, is known as a relatively affluent enclave in the region, one very supportive of the arts – as evidenced through numerous installations of public art, dynamic galleries, and being the host of a ceramics conference that practically takes over the downtown for a weekend every year, not to mention the generous support of a Civic Arts Commission.
The community is in high attendance at performances at the UC Davis Mondavi Center and the new-on-the-scene Shrem Museum of Art; the list is far from conclusive. Yet, with the pervasive presence of the arts in town, there was still space for something else – or so envisioned a group of DIY artists and musicians who saw this “space for something else” as literal – and created Third Space Art Collective in August, 2013.
“Third Space” is a term meant to denote not where one lives or works – but the space between worlds where we come to create. A goal of the organizers was that this space be accessible – meaning affordable – to everyone in the community, with accessible free building materials, tools and art supplies, and space for music rehearsals and performances. The expense of being an artist combined with the lack of a place to do one’s craft can hold back the very talented-yet-not-monetarily flush (or otherwise under-resourced because of physical or health disability) individual. Observing this in their own community of makers, the DIYers threw themselves into creating a space they needed – a space they felt the entire community of Davis needed.
[quote font=”arial” font_size=”30″ bgcolor=”#” color=”#” bcolor=”#1440d6″ arrow=”no”]Third Space opens its doors at 946 Olive Dr. to the community this Saturday, March 25th from 7 – 10 pm. The public is invited to come view the new works of the artists, take a tour of the 6000 square foot creative space, have refreshments, and get to know the community of artists.[/quote]
It worked, according to Third Space Membership Director, Lisa Cantrell, who described a recent tally of people served adding up to over 15,000. She said that, since 2013, Third Space has hosted over 200 concerts, 32 art shows, 92 workshops, 41 theater events, 29 poetry and storytelling events, and 70 other general events.
Third Space has become synonymous with the building they occupy at 946 Olive Dr. From their website, it is a “volunteer non-profit multipurpose space housing art studios, gallery, music shows, art events, workshops, and more.” This soon may all come crashing down – and almost literally – since in January a change in property ownership resulted in a notice to vacate. With the roughly 6000 square feet of space filled with workshop space, performance venue, art studios, recording studio, a darkroom, tools and art supplies, members of the Collective felt a sense of doom descend. While large urban areas generally have buildings available at rates starving artists can relatively afford, Davis rents are considerably higher. A reason why the Collective was able to be established in the first place was because the vacant former auto body shop at 946 Olive Dr. was large and the rent was cheap.
Spaces like this are almost non-existent in Davis and is one of the reasons places like Third Space do not exist. “Artists want this, “ said Dylan Wright, sculptor and a founding member, “If we go away because of a lack of a place to be, there won’t be equity to the Davis art scene because artists are notoriously poor. If artists can’t afford Davis – that’s very unfortunate for the community.” He also recounted that some Collective members, prolific artists, are also disabled. “We need a place in Davis for us,” said Wright.
Presently, Third Space members are in lease negotiations with the new owner, hotelier, and developer Ashok Patel, and hope to resolve their predicament. “There’s a high likelihood that our rent will double and our usable space will be lessened,” said Lisa Cantrell, Membership Director, “We are very nervous.” They have also mounted an Indiegogo crowdsourcing campaign to help raise money for interim expenses. According to Cantrell, city officials and community supporters of the arts have been coming forward to offer ideas and claim support of their vision and mission. “We have learned a great deal about how much support there is for us in the community, which has been wonderful,” said Cantrell, “but when it comes down to it, what we need is an affordable space for Third Space.”
Third Space opens its doors at 946 Olive Dr. to the community this Saturday, March 25th from 7 – 10 pm. The public is invited to come view the new works of the artists, take a tour of the 6000 square foot creative space, have refreshments, and get to know the community of artists.
