Clientele Art Studio’s first official show was in October of 2018, but the story starts years earlier. In the winter of 2014, we were walking down 15th street when we noticed the building was quietly for sale. After a tour with our realtor, we decided to put in an offer. We closed on a snowy day in February of 2015. We signed the final documents in our realtor’s car outside of the building when she looked up and asked, “So what are you gonna do with this place?”

At the time, we had no answer for her. The power was turned off, the building had no gas line, and it was full of trash. After a shrug and a less than inspiring “Well I’m sure we will figure it out.”, we got out of the car and walked into the building. From 2015 through 2017 a few different things were attempted as well as renting it out. During this time, we received a few inquiries and unofficial offers to buy the place, bulldoze it, and use it as a parking lot (We actually just received another offer as we write this.) 

After our last tenant left, it was decided to renovate the building and see where it would lead. Shortly after, we were approached about holding a book release party in the space. We had kicked around the idea of having a space for artists, and decided to give it a shot. The party was a success, and after several months of plumbing issues, leaking roofs, HVAC problems, and many other renovation setbacks, we had our first show.