The Studios
Two of the studios at RAGS are indoor rooms. The main studio, a recent addition in front of the house, is a large open room. The main studio is weather proofed, though the interior is unfinished. It is suitable for activities like dance or Tai chi workshops. I use it for my Tai Chi practice when I don't want to be outside.
The workshop studio is a separate building cluttered with tools and stuff, suitable for making art objects such as sculpture, or performance art props. The workshop doubles as the fix it and repair shop as well. I do accept commissions to build things, if I like the idea and the consideration being offered.
Outside, under the sky or the trees, there are a number of areas that I consider studios also. In addition to covered east and south facing decks, there are a couple of reasonably flat spaces under high and shade giving trees that make quite nice outdoor studio spaces. There are also many places less level that provide either forest cover or open field very suitable for doing movement work such as dance, tai chi or other martial arts in a natural setting. And for photography or video.
Use of these studios is available by reservation. Rates are donation based. Call 831-667-5091 to inquire.
The open space is about 20 feet wide by 30 feet long, with poles in the middle. The walls will eventually be mostly mirrors, but at present are just open stud walls. There is temporary power and light, but full wiring has not been started yet.
Wide angle from the NE corner of the studio.
The beam is not curved, the lens did that. And the rest of the studio extends about 15 feet past the blue tarp. Excellent afternoon light in this photo, but once the stud wall is covered with mirrors, the lighting will depend more on the overheads. To the right, behind the stud wall is a cloakroom type area, and behind that the staris to get to the entrance. The opening into the gallery room of the house will normally be closed off, probably with heavy curtains. For the immediate future, the first thing to do is treat the floor. At the current budget, that means sanding and staining to a surface suitable for high traffic. And also, smooth.
The south deck needs a new floor and will eventually be extended out to edge of the roof. It is pleasant most of the year, but a bit warmer in the summer than out under the trees.
The new part of the east deck is outside the studio and is narrow. The old deck is in serious need of a floor lift in the open part, and floor replacement under the roof.
This is a large field in which a 60 foot diameter circle centered on the fire pit gives plenty of room between it and the surrounding trees. It slopes gently down toward the corner where the camera is.
The big field studio, view from the southeast.
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The mint is growing on the other side of the bald cypress where it's skirts touch the ground. A hammock will fit nicely between these two, and if there's any breeze at all, it quite pleasant in the shade here.
The center part of this large forsythia is open and covered with a nice bed of wood chips. It's very impressive in bloom.
While there is a lot of sun here in the mornings, in the afternoons this oak casts very pleasant shade over this area. In addition, if a qualified rigger were present, there's a very nice horizontal limb about 20 feet up.
This narrow but reasonably level space has bald cypress to the north and a small crab apple and a large ash to the south.
This area just north of the barn is one of the most level spots on the property, pretty much the top of the hill. Currently not very useful as a studio area, unless a cage is desired. That's a former rabbitry built with dog pen panels.
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the Guardian Pine is a vertical studio
Not very many performance artists who visit can resist climbing up this one.
This area southwest of the upper pond is reasonably level and nicely shaded most of the day. The red flags are freshly planted native bushes.
This area is a nice flat and level stretch above the upper pond.
This area slopes down toward the pond, but is level near the pond edge. It becomes saturated during heavy rains and remains wet and squishy for days after. The post in the middle is an old satellite dish stand. The open space under the trees behind the brush pile that will be moved is a level space, perhaps suitable for musicians playing for dancers by the pond.
This cleared area is at the edge of an opening in the forest canopy.
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This open space under a full forest canopy is nicely shaded all day long. However, lightbeams do illuminate some parts brightly when the sun is shinning bright.
Hulagon shoot at Mt. Pleasant
This area slopes down toward the pond, but is level near the pond edge. It becomes saturated during heavy rains and remains wet and squishy for days after. The post in the middle is an old satellite dish stand. The open space under the trees behind the brush pile that will be moved is a level space, perhaps suitable for musicians playing for dancers by the pond.
