For 15 years, a small orange building off Roosevelt Row known as the Firehouse has been an arts community within a larger one. It’s housed countless shows, artwork and performances, as well as providing affordable housing for local artists. The vibrant color and camouflage design on the walls matches the personality of the artists that call the Firehouse home.
Many artist residents call the building home, and many members consider the larger Firehouse community of artists, performers, and activists a family.
But the current state of the Firehouse as a facilitator of the arts may soon come to an end. The building was put up for sale, listed for $500,000, about two weeks ago, threatening the venue’s existence.
“It’s a community that I don’t think should be displaced. We’ve had people who have been participating in it for over 15 years,” Firehouse Gallery co-founder Joanna Lee 23 said. “It’s a community gathering of all types of people and events, poetry, activists, fire dancing, art, comedy, meetings, birthday parties, even weddings. It’s a significant space in all types of people’s memories and lives and we have upcoming events planned.”
Firehouse founders Michael and Joanna Lee 23 hope they will be able to combat this by buying the building themselves with the help of the community and a GoFundMe page. The fundraiser has been going on for two weeks and has raised more than $2,000.
In addition to the GoFundMe, Michael 23 says they are going to publish a book about the Firehouse, expected to be released in January 2017, which he hopes will become a premium reward for the fundraising. The book will take contributions from community members who have been involved with the Firehouse.
Matt Micheletti, a comedian who regularly performs at the Firehouse, believes the building’s sense of community will help the fundraising.
“Every time we’ve been threatened by external forces, it’s really been our greatest strength when we work as a group. It’s really a huge community effort every time we’ve raised money for the Firehouse,” Micheletti said.
This isn’t a new situation to the 23’s. The building their previous space, Thought Crime, occupied was sold in 2005 for $700,000.
“That hit us like a ton of bricks; we had 30 days notice,” Michael said.
There was no way they could have raised the money in that amount of time. This time, after a friend sent them a link to the property listing, Joanna Lee 23 immediately decided to fundraise, hoping that there will be enough time for their goal to be reached. Michael 23 said he expects the property to be on the market for about a year, which is why they have left the fundraiser open ended.
The length of time properties in the surrounding area are on the market varies, according to Justin Horwitz, the senior adviser for Sperry Van Ness Desert Commercial, the company representing the property owner in the sale.
“We’ve had properties go in two weeks and then go to contract in a matter of a month and a half or they can take around a year,” Horwitz said. “For this property we’ve gotten some offers so we’ll see. But probably somewhere around that time.”
Horwitz said he was unaware of the fundraiser but urged the Firehouse community to reach out to him.
The 23’s and the Firehouse community know they are up for a challenge.
“We’re aware that it’s a tall order to raise that amount of money,” Michael 23 said.
While they hope to raise the entire goal, if the GoFundMe does fall short, any funds that are raised will go toward a new space. They have not yet found a potential new location yet.
Firehouse is unique in that it’s an affordable and supportive space where artists can just get started or experiment, said Margarete Beeson, the Firehouse’s curator.
“It’s a place for firsts,” Beeson said. “I’ve had so many people come to me and say, ‘this is my first time doing an art show’ and I think that’s very rewarding for everyone around to give them the opportunity to go forward.”
Beeson also said that the low gallery showing prices and inexpensive events give artists and local community members opportunities they might not have otherwise.
“A lot of the independent galleries and performance places are fading away, so we’re hoping to stand strong and stay here, ” said Kristy Kuhl, the Firehouse gallery manager.
Her hope is echoed by Joanna Lee 23.
“I’m keeping an open mind and just thinking what if; what if we could do it?” 23 said.
For now the Firehouse community just plans to take it day-by-day.
“We plan to be there for every last day we can,” said Michael 23.
Find the GoFundMe page here. Community members who wish to contribute photographs and stories for the Firehouse can be sent to firehousebook@gmail.com by Nov. 23.
Contact the reporter at Kara.Carlson@asu.edu
