Park City’s coolest co-working space isn’t for tech — it’s for artists

CREATE PC Maker Space Anne-Marie Buckland. Photo: Claire Wiley

At the CREATE PC maker space, Summit County artists trade solo studios for a shared creative hub where collaboration and inspiration come standard

The popularity of co-op working spaces is on the rise around the nation as well as right here in Summit County. While most of these spaces boast working areas with desks and wifi, only one was specifically created for local artists.

The Arts Council of Park City & Summit County has created a maker space through its CREATE PC local artist collective to provide area artists new opportunities to create and connect.

When artists share a communal space, they convert simple studios into vibrant workspaces that promote collaboration and drive cross-disciplinary exploration.

The CREATE PC maker space has transformed 2,500 square feet at 1500 Kearns Blvd. into a unique creative ecosystem that provides Summit County’s local artists an opportunity to work alongside peers from a variety of backgrounds and artistic visions.

Historically, artists first utilized “co-op,” or shared collaborative spaces, as Renaissance workshops (bottegas) in 15th-century Italy.

These early shared spaces functioned as incubators where master artists, manufacturers and trainees worked together to create masterpieces and exchange knowledge.

A more modern take on these shared spaces took shape with artist-run cooperative galleries that began to emerge in 1950s New York. The most notable purposes for establishing these spaces were to pool resources and promote new movements.

Understanding the history and importance of these shared spaces, the Arts Council is providing local artists with a maker space that can help bolster their opportunities in myriad ways.

“For centuries, artists have collaborated and leaned on each other for inspiration, critiques and encouragement. My creative process most often finds its roots with the interplay of ideas,” says CREATE PC artist Anne-Marie Buckland. “Artists don’t create in a vacuum and we don’t see art singularly. We look to each other for insight and support and we get that here in the CREATE PC maker space.”

The creative energy cultivated in this space encourages members to keep experimenting, learn new skills and persist through challenging projects.

This shared space also significantly lowers artists’ costs for utilities and rent. The CREATE PC maker space offers an affordable month-to-month membership. What’s more, artists who are part of the maker space can showcase and sell their work through the CREATE PC gallery.

As well, with new artwork being generated on a frequent basis, there is a constant change of scenery, which can act as creative fuel for artists to stay motivated and stimulate fresh ideas. New colors, textures and even smells can transform a space and keep the creative juices flowing.

“This is a very collaborative space,” says Buckland. “Creating new work here is like standing on top of a steep ski run and having people behind you saying go, go, you can do it!”

The CREATE PC maker space can accommodate up to 10 local creatives working in a variety of visual art mediums.

For more information about CREATE PC local artist collective and the maker space, contact Emma Brake at emma@pcscarts.org.