The Hildebrandt Artist Collective is set to open studio and gallery space in the historic Hildebrandt building, a gigantic warehouse located on Walton Avenue on Cleveland's near west side, sometime next month.

The group joins existing tenants Rust Belt Welding, Soulcraft Woodshop and Wake Robin Fermented Foods in the sprawling complex, which was built a century ago as a meat packing company but has evolved into a hub for local food and art.

Fiber artist Katie Simmons says that she launched the space with about 10 other artists to provide affordable, collaborative workspace for young, emerging artists.

"A lot of these artists have just graduated from college, and they don't have a lot of extra funds, yet being an artist is difficult if you don't have space," she says. "By having a shared space, everybody brings something to the table and we can collaborate with one another, and yet we each have our own space, too."

The group also plans to open a gallery called The Lunchroom, and the entire building will be open for a First Friday art walk beginning in December.

The collective consists of Katie Simmons (fiber artist), Diane Zizka (painter), Stephanie Streeter (painter), Loren Shumaker-Chupp (graphic designer), Andrea Howell (fashion designer), Lauren Vandevier (painter), Ryan Ramer (classical composer and mobiles), Lauren Ballasch (jewelry designer), Julian Severyn (painter) and Avery Bailey (comic book artist.

"The building is always evolving," says Simmons, who also works at Great Lakes Brewing Company. "There are more artists moving in here."

Source: Katie Simmons
Writer: Lee Chilcote