Organization

Artists’ complex is more than half full

Wednesday, June 11, 2008
By Fredricka Paul
fpaul@citpat.com—768-4927

Jane Robinson thinks of herself as a proud mother to the artists who live in the Armory Arts Village.

Since opening in December, 45 of the 62 apartments have been leased and artists are making use of the studio and gallery space, said Robinson, director of the complex located near Cooper and Ganson streets.

Robinson said she hoped that the income-restricted community would be full by now, but was pleased occupancy is above projections that it would be half-filled by now. She expects it will be full before January.

``We are way ahead of schedule, so I am not concerned,’’ she said.

Resident Brandon Irish, 25, a music and art graduate of Hillsdale College, said the studio and gallery space are among the things that attracted him to Armory Arts. He also loves the huge windows that brighten his apartment.

Irish, a sculptor, decorated his apartment with driftwood he has collected from family trips to the Great Lakes. Each piece has a different memory, he said. He even turned one large piece into a pot rack attached to the ceiling of his kitchen.

He hopes to live in Europe someday.

Robinson said there are only a few residents who are not full-time artists. Because of fair-housing laws, the community is open to all who meet the requirements, but its amenities, such as the gallery and studio, appeal primarily to artists.

Painters, graphic designers, poets and musicians are among the artists who live in the complex, she said.

Residents are helping Robinson promote the village by spreading the word on blogs and online forums.

The residents have become part of the Jackson community by having their work displayed around town and teaching classes to area youth. Some of the residents have also started giving private lessons, she said.

Residents are also taking business classes once a week, Robinson said.