Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Lauer.
Hi Chris, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Waldo’s and Company started pretty informally. I (Chris Lauer) was lucky enough to be situated in a large warehouse space just a block from the center of town. The warehouse was a perfect art studio with high ceilings, big windows, a manual garage door, and of course, no heat. But that didn’t stop a creative community of folks making the best use of the space that we could. Starting with some makeshift studios, and a homemade printing press, we started addressing the problems that face young and budding creatives. Access to space, equipment, and community were top of mind but we aimed to make those possible without costing the artist more than people like ourselves could afford. The warehouse was all dreams and experiments. We built a stage for local musicians, a dark room, and a “kool-aid bar’ to give regulars something to sit around. Those were the early days.
We operated there for a year and a half; building community and practicing before we really knew what we had started. So when our space was shut down by the borough, turns out we had a few fire code issues, we suddendly felt responsible for this community that we had formed.
There was a hard year of fundraising and searching before we landed in our new space right in the heart of downtown. Here we have evolved our vision over 11 years building out our studio offerings and community space into a thriving arts community of printmakers, ceramicists, photographers, and painters who have affordable access to everything they need to make a go of it in the arts. And the space is subsidized by a coffee/mocktail bar with fresh roasted beans embedded in the studio that invites the community to participate and support the artists by buying drinks or buying art created right here by artists that they’ve come to know.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely not! Even after that year where we were searching for a new building and unsure that we’d find a place at all, Waldo’s has faced some uphill struggles. The concept of a multi-modal studio space and coffee bar was pretty foreign to our downtown neighbors and it has taken many years for folks to understand what we are and what community we serve. Our place stayed afloat for many years on the hard work of an entirely volunteer staff. From our directors to our baristas and studio managers, everyone worked for the love of the place and what it meant to them. We have since grown into an organization that can pay its staff and support its members even better, but even the growth from the organic volunteer group to a more formalized staff had its own set of challenges.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I have always been a collector of mediums. Starting out as a painter, I’ve since played with resin works, printmaking, film photography, pottery, and sculpture. I cant help but see the next shiny art form and try it out. That collection of skills has been incredibly useful here as I am commonly helping to troubleshoot things with so many different art forms and you can see more at www.chrisalauer.com if you care to see more.
I am known to have exhibits that are entirely new mediums from the last. I have loved exploring sculptural ceramics. Hand-building forms that feel a little ancient and alive makes me feel like I’m participating in old world traditions of story telling and craft. But my next exhibit (crossing my fingers) will be entirely full color process screen prints.
How do you define success?
Success in the arts is at the same time, simpler, and harder than I imagined when I was young. Looking forward, I always imagined that I had to create something incredible and get discovered. Much like a musician, I wouldn’t be a success until people knew my name. But that’s not it at all. To succeed in the arts, you just have to keep creating. Your art may never be known, and it won’t likely pay all the bills, but to keep on making is to keep adding to the great conversation that is the arts; and that is success. For us as an organization, its as simple as making that easier for our friends and neighbors. Cost, and space are the most common barriers for the creative community, and if we can help people overcome those two things, then we have done our job.
Waldo’s sees all types of artists. From those just starting out, to old pros, we are all just looking for a place to create and connect. We see that happening every day over coffee and craft. And if no one ever knows our name, at least we never stopped creating.
Pricing:
- Our Tradeshop membership starts as low ass $40/month
- Drinks at our coffee bar are by donation only
- Private studios are $140/month
- Waldo’s only takes 20% commission on work sold
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.waldosandco.com
- Instagram: @waldosandco
