Until a few weeks ago I had never set foot inside of Banbury Place, the immense former industrial hub abutting the Eau Claire River. I ventured there to scope out the backdrop for the upcoming Art Crawl at Banbury, an art show featuring a mélange of local artists. The strictly utilitarian appearance of Building 13, the site of the Art Crawl, did not relieve much of the intimidation. My expectation for an open-concept, Warhol-esque space was dashed.

Alone, I was greeted by cement floors and enclosed, windowless hallways – not the most enticing place in the Chippewa Valley. The artists of Banbury’s Building 13 beg to differ. Tenants Laurie Bieze, of Beize Sculpture, and Adam Fuller, of Fuller Flameworks, share a studio on the second floor of Building 13. The two glassworkers masterminded the Art Crawl. More than 30 artists will come into their building to display and sell their work, simultaneously spotlighting local creators, and drawing attention to an overlooked local landmark.

“We just want to have a big party… fill up the building!” Bieze stated.

But it is more than that. The Crawl is an invitation for the public to share the artist camaraderie of Building 13. Bieze and Fuller treated me to a tour of the building and a few of the workshops that will be in full swing during the Art Crawl. Each introduction emphasized the practical and artistic bond between the tenants.

Carl Brown of Coyote Creek Creations profits from small consignment projects like framing and spindle work. For fun, he creates beautiful wooden boxes, Native American Flutes, and dulcimers. Brown referred to his woodworking passion as “a hobby that got out of control.”

In his seven years at Banbury, Brown’s hobby has benefitted his fellow tenants. For example, he has done some framing work for Bieze. “When you have those crafts at your disposal, then you think about using them,” explained Bieze.

    Ryan Goulet, a five-year tenant who makes his living in wood painting and refinishing, concurred, “It’s pretty handy with everybody around here.” He has taken advantage of Bieze’s glassworking knowledge to help him fix broken equipment. Like Brown, he took up his trade to practice his woodworking passion on the side. In his workshop, Goulet keeps a stack of completed cribbage boards and tables that he crafted, some of which he hopes to sell at theCrawl.

Perhaps the best example of camaraderie is Bieze and Fuller themselves. As they guided me on a tour, Fuller pointed out three spaces that he has occupied. He and a partner owned Fat Bottom Glass, and when they split last year, Fuller moved his business into Bieze’s studio to control costs. Bieze, who has been at Banbury for a decade, seemed content with the arrangement, “He’s learning all about my business,” she explained, “since Adam moved in it has made it much nicer, split the workload.”

Banbury Place owner and president, Jack Kaiser, has noticed the unique bond, “I think Building 13 is more the artist-type personality, and they just seem to gel a little better.” Kaiser has been wholly supportive of the Crawl as a promotion of not only his tenants, but to “support the art community in the Chippewa Valley.”

Fuller explained that the Crawl aims “To let people know what’s going on, how many artists there are in Eau Claire.” Perhaps the Chippewa Valley just doesn’t know where to find them, as Fuller hears all the time, “Oh, you’re in that building? I drive by it all the time!”

Bieze admitted, “The building looks a little foreboding. I mean, you don’t know what to expect, and you get inside and it’s a little weird, isn’t it?” I couldn’t have agreed with her more. But despite my initial apprehension, I left Building 13 feeling appreciation for the “old warehouse” that houses a community of creative collaboration.

    Banbury Place, during the Art Crawl at Banbury on Friday, February 6 from 5-9pm, and Saturday, February 7, from 10 am to 3pm. Get a map at Rental Resources (Banbury Place, Building F-13, Galloway St.) It’s FREE, but buy something.