The Studio Store, a Studio By the Tracks gallery for local artists with Autism Spectrum Disorders, closed June 3 for construction.
After Studio By the Tracks’ annual Art From the Heart Benefit on June 9, the staff will take a few weeks to get the new Studio Store set up at their Irondale location. They expect to re-open at Irondale studio location in early July.
According to a release, building plans were recently approved for ground-up construction at the Studio Store’s current location at 2764 BM Montgomery St. in Homewood. The store was first opened this past September.
Artistic Director Katie Thompson says, “Our first retail venture has been a huge undertaking, but the commissions we have been able to provide to our artists have far exceeded our expectations,” said Artistic Director Katie Thompson.
Rather than utilizing a temporary location for the months-long project, Studio By the Tracks has opted to re-open the Studio Store at 301 20th St. S in Irondale, where the Studio By the Tracks artists create their works.
“More than anything, we’re taking away from this experience that having this gallery is an integral asset to our mission,” said Studio Store manager Danielle Dyar. “It has provided our artists with supplemental income and has allowed them to be acknowledged alongside other contemporary artists in our community. It’s really important to us to be able to continue providing this service to our artists, and we are actually pretty excited to bringing our organization home to Irondale.”
Studio By the Tracks provides a social outlet and career path for adult artists with Autism Spectrum Disorders by providing space for self-expression and social engagement at their studio where all materials are supplied at no cost. In addition, the artists directly receive 60% of all sales of their artwork.
