The Metamorphosis: Brainerd's Franklin Junior High becomes the Franklin Arts Center

by Jenny Gunsbury

The halls of the former Franklin Junior High in Brainerd are once again filled with life, energy, and community spirit. Wednesday, June 24, 2009 marked the grand opening of the Franklin Arts Center into studio and commercial space, live/work apartments for artists, and community education space used by the Brainerd School District.

Artspace is the organization behind the $9 million transformation of the 73 year old school into the Franklin Arts Center. Their mission is to "create, foster, and preserve affordable space for artists and arts organizations." Partnering with arts-friendly community groups and civic leaders, Artspace began the project in 2005. Studio and commercial spaces opened soon after that, with the residences ready for occupancy by November 2008.

Many of the people instrumental to the project got a chance to say a few words during the 45-minute program at the grand opening. State Representative John Ward, a former teacher at Franklin, called it a "great community asset."

Paul Blom, former director of Community Education in Brainerd, remarked, "The live/work apartments are just amazing. We even have people visiting from other communities that are facing school closings to see how this has turned out."

For area artists, a gathering place like this has been a dream for 35 years. Chip Borkenhagen, president of the board of directors for the Crossing Arts Alliance, said, "Finally we have it - a place for artists to share ideas and energies. Now the work really begins. This room should be packed with people that can't wait to get a taste of art."

A wide range of businesses, artists, and organizations fill the main entry and northern two floors of Franklin. An architecture firm, photographers, yoga studio, massage therapist, a media company, a church, the Crossing Arts Alliance gift shop and offices, an interior designer, a framing gallery, pottery and painting studios, and a custom sewing/alterations shop make it a something-for-everyone kind of place.

The first studio to open in the building was Greg & Margaret Rosenberg's Shining Light Studio. Greg is a stained glass artist, focusing on lampshades and windows. He also creates copper sculpture lamp bases. His wife, Margaret, makes hand-beaded Victorian-style lampshades. "We were attracted to the space available here," said Margaret, "now Greg has a chance to do larger projects. This is our fourth year at Franklin. It's been an incredible experience being around other artists. We feed off one another and are all good friends."

The twenty-five live/work studios fill the east wing. Many of the apartments were open for tours during the event. Even though they had similar one or two bedroom layouts, each was uniquely decorated and utilized, depending on the resident artist's medium. Carolina Warner, quilter and fiber artist, was one of the first to move in. "It's been such a great place. I have room to hold a fiber arts class in my studio. There's even a laundry tub for hand dyeing fabrics. I had to use my kitchen sink before," said Warner.

Teresa Severson, an Oil Expressionist, lives with her young son at Franklin. As the resident representative at the opening program, she summed up her experience and the purpose of the Franklin Arts Center well. "I think that we have a responsibility as artists in the community to be serious. Finding balance in life is difficult enough, but for an artist it's also difficult to find support and community. Now we have that here."

The Franklin Arts Center is located at 1001 Kingwood Street in Brainerd.