Studio Update: I Moved to Mainframe!
Happy March! I have some exciting news to share.
As of today, I am officially a tenant at Mainframe Studios here in Des Moines! Mainframe has long been a place I've admired and wanted to be a part of. It's a creative hub unlike anything else in Des Moines, honestly it’s very unique in the world. I can already tell that being a Mainframe resident is going to push my work in exciting new directions. I'm especially looking forward to First Fridays, the exhibition opportunities throughout the year, and working alongside talented artists across so many disciplines. I'm working from studio #339 and sharing the space with the incredibly talented Brittany Brooke Crow.
For the last 14 months, I've been working out of Studio #407 at the Fitch Building in downtown Des Moines. Before that, I would rent photo studios as needed, but knew I needed a space of my own where my big ideas could finally get out of my head and into the world, where I could leave them set up as long as I wanted. Having a studio at the Fitch was a big accomplishment, and I had found my space to play and experiment! While I was there, I did lots of client sessions and lots of test model sessions with amazing friends who helped me try out specific concepts, practical effects, and set builds. But I needed more than just open space to create. I also need better accessibility for myself and my clients, climate control, and an elevator — things my Fitch studio sadly did not offer.
While I adored my beautiful, light-filled studio in one of my favorite neighborhoods in Des Moines, I knew for over half my lease I needed to move on. It got SO hot up there, even in the coldest months, and despite a big shop fan, open windows, air conditioning, and cold drinks on hand, it was rough to work in as a photographer. A fourth-floor walk-up studio was challenging, to put it nicely, anytime someone brought wardrobe, props, or furniture (which was almost every shoot). I needed a cooler environment for my clients and models at the very least. I thought it would be a better studio for a painter or a fiber artist or something like that. Despite its flaws, the Fitch was a very special place for me, and I'll miss my neighbors and even the building itself. On the day I turned in my keys, I walked through the building a shot a whole roll of film to document all the little nooks and views of the hike up to my studio. I’ll share them here when I get my scans back and have a chance to cry about it a little.
To everyone who has supported my work and booked a session with me while I was working from the Fitch: thank you! Endlessly. I know it was a struggle at times and I’m so excited to offer you a lot more comfort and convenience going forward! I also owe an extra special thank you to Nick, my partner, who has been a huge help through this transition and hauled an ungodly amount of heavy things up and down the Fitch stairs. Mainframe has elevators and a loading dock, along with lots of carts for hauling things, we are both very excited about that! The move in process was so smooth.
Brittany Brooke and I will have our studio open for March's First Friday, so come find us on Friday, March 6th from 5–8pm. It's five floors of open studios, special exhibitions, food, drinks, and entertainment, completely free and open to the public. Plus, student artists from Des Moines Public Schools will be sharing their work in the common areas! It gets busy, so park in the free overflow lot (not the ramp) on Crocker Street between 7th & 8th Street and hop on the free Keck Shuttle (runs 4–9pm, drops you at the lobby door). I'll have some music photography on display from a previous exhibition. I'm excited to bring it back out of storage. Once I get properly settled, I'll work on preparing recent work to hang in the studio and in the halls. Keep an eye out!
I hope to see you there, please come say hello and see the new space!
x Alyssa