Painted Black: Artists lose studios with sale of landmark building
“It’s just been a terrific space for artists. Has great light. The rent is very reasonable,” says artist Betsy Rosenwald.
Cam Fuller, Saskatoon StarPhoenix Cam Fuller, Saskatoon StarPhoenix
Published on: April 5, 2018 | Last Updated: April 5, 2018 9:22 AM CST
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About 20 Saskatoon artists are losing their cherished studio space with the sale of the legendary Tees and Persse building on First Avenue North.
“It’s just been a terrific space for artists. Has great light. The rent is very reasonable,” Betsy Rosenwald said recently.
She’s been renting her portion of the fourth floor for about 20 years. In fact, she started renting three months before moving to Saskatoon from New York knowing how rare good space can be.
“We don’t need much, we just need walls and light and access and a locked door. It’s just been a terrific 20 years for me here.”
Dawna Rose has had her studio in the rugged 1911 former warehouse for 25 years. There’s never been hot water but rent was cheap and it suited her needs. She gets emotional thinking about losing it.
“The only thing that’s kept me in the city is this space. I don’t have any reason to be here other than this space. Why stay here, really? It’s a serious thing to contemplate. It sounds drastic, but it’s true.”
The building has been owned by the Carmichael family for more than 45 years. Ken Carmichael took over from his parents running Charter House Interiors on the lower levels. Now 65, he’s looking at retirement. A sign on the door says a retirement sale will be held April 6 to 14.
“I sympathize with them,” he said of the artists. “Some of them have been here 25 years or more with me and it’s worked out great for everybody. It’s nothing fancy but I made the most of what I could out of it and I need to retire.”
He put the building up for sale in January, asking $1.95 million. Real estate agent Scott Friesen said he couldn’t comment on any aspect of the sale or who the potential buyer is.
Still up in the air is when the tenants have to leave. On March 23, the artists were given until April 30.
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http://thestarphoenix.com/entertainm...dmark-building
I suspect that this is a precursor of news to come on the new owner's intentions for the Tees & Persse warehouse on 1st Ave. I sincerely hope it involves retaining the building.