Artspace invites the public to the grand opening of Mesa Artspace Lofts, a $15.8 million arts development in Downtown Mesa, on Jan. 23.
Mesa Artspace Lofts includes 50 units of fully-leased housing where artists and their families live and work, with nearly 50 children currently residing within. The complex also features a courtyard, a playground, gardens, an outdoor stage, a pet run and on-site offices for A New Leaf. It is just a blocks away from the Mesa Art Center and is accessible by the new light rail.
The grand opening event, which is free and open to the public, will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. Events will showcase the talents of the artists living in the Mesa Artspace Lofts, including open studios and live music by residents including ventriloquist-rapper Zack Beard and Fuzzy (the puppet); Mister Stitch’s Radio (aka Daniel Coon); musician-poet Loryn (a k a Lorin Drexler); poet Isarae Koval; comedian Faith Morris; musician-poet Therosia Reynolds; painter Gina Ribaudo-Delap (live painting to music performances); DJ Ronnie Digital (a k a Ronnie Sunday); musician Tina Vale; vocalist Alejandra Valenzuela; and writer Michelle Ann Vincent (reading her work to a dance choreography). RSVPs are encouraged via www.artspace.org/mesa.
Preceding the grand opening will be a panel discussion at 1 p.m. at the Mesa Art Center, “Inclusion, Innovation and Arts Leadership,” moderated by Cindy Ornstein. This event is also free and open to the public, with registration encouraged via www.artspace.org/mesa.
