About
Our Story
Cherry Pit Collective is a communal studio space for artists, makers, and creatives, where the work and vision of women, non-binary and gender non-conforming people are emphasized and celebrated. Members work together to support and promote each other through a shared workspace and jointly share work, costs, benefits, and risks. Monthly programming includes classes and events for skill sharing within our community and to foster collaboration over competition. All are welcome to apply for studio spaces and to attend our events, but female-identifying artists and members of other marginalized communities are prioritized.
As a community, we recognize our building is located on the ancestral land belonging to the people of Kiikaapo (Kikapoo), Wazhazhe Mazhá (Osage), Kaw (Kansa) and Očhéthi Šakówin (Sioux). We honor with gratitude the land itself and the people who have and continue to steward it.
How did the Cherry Pit Collective come to be?
Founder Kelsey Pike:
"I was looking for a studio space for my hand papermaking setup, and I really missed the communal studios I was familiar with from art school.
I saw an article online about Maker Village, a new community wood and metal shop, and contacted them to see if they might have space. They did, and loved the idea of artist studio spaces. I started forming and refining the idea with my friend, Adri Luna, while working with the landlords to design and build out the interior space.
In June of 2016, we ran a Kickstarter to raise $10,000 for our deposit and final build-out of the space."
The Kickstarter ran from June 5th to July 11th, 2016 and offered a variety of perks for backers.
Over the course of the thirty-six day campaign, we hosted a final push event called the "Cherry Bomb-A-Thon" with snacks, raffles, and sparklers. The campaign was a success!
By paying for the costs of lighting, heating & cooling, and the build out of electric outlets upfront, the Cherry Pit was been able to keep the space more affordable for its members since the beginning.
Want to read more from the original
Kickstarter page? Click here.
In the summer of 2021, we worked with our building owners to construct the mezzanine, which expanded the amount of space available for studios
Before & After
