The Opelika Art Factory: Where It Started, Where It’s Going
Where It Started
So who starts a 6,000 square foot commercial photography studio in a town of 30,000 people? Well crazy people I guess.
Orrrrrrr, orrrrrr, just follow me here: visionaries. People who believe an artistic community could blossom and even thrive in this place. People who believe you shouldn’t automatically have to drive to Atlanta for ambitious creative or commercial projects. So when you combine having run a couple of successful studios with twenty years experience as a professional photographer, an ivy league MBA and partners who are strongly committed to the economic and cultural development of the Auburn and Opelika areas you end up with the Opelika Art Factory.
Now while we are at a soft opening stage here at the factory, meaning currently we are allowing access to/shooting in the space on a free basis as we continue to stand things up; we spend a lot of time talking about what we are going to be. So I thought I’d take a little time to make sure you understand the difference in what we have and what is coming.
What We Got
6,000 Square foot studio attached to 6,000 square feet of office space with a lot of the office space earmarked to be leased to creatives
We absolutely have this. The studio has 26 foot ceilings and windows that are 8 feet high and let in a ton of natural light. However we still have some cleaning and arranging to do before we can start having you guys shoot in the studio.. And yes we have between 8-12 offices to rent depending on how we configure them. However we do not expect to be renting offices before November 1. We still have to do some design and construction in that space. I’d advise you to come see the space immediately and get your name on the waiting list to lease. All the art factory offices have optional studio subscriptions but at least three of these offices are large enough to be their own studios. And at the prices we are charging they will rent quickly.
However the first shoots in the studio space are going to be happening starting Monday October 19th. Want to be among the first to use the space and help us shape the vision? Get at me at bryan@opelikaartfactory.com and let’s see if we can work something out schedule wise.
Thousands of available props
Again we have this. I literally toured 3 warehouses full of available props and set dressings. However we are still figuring what will be in the studio and what will be in the prop house as well as how we will make the catalogue of available props visible to you so you can select the things you want. We’ve got to figure out the technology, user interface and the logistics of how this is going to work. However there will be onsite props in the studio by Monday October 19th.
Thousands of pieces of wardrobe
Same thing here. I have more wardrobe than you can shake a stick at, literally thousands of pieces of clothing, jewelry, sunglasses, etc. We’ve got to finish cleaning out the wardrobe storage, standing it up, etc. I’m guessing that we’ll have some stuff there on October 19th, with the full compliment there by November 1st.
What’s Coming?
Studio Terrace Access
We have a private courtyard already, though it’s not nearly ready for shooting. We are also connected to what will become 6 acres of manicured gardens, outdoor pavilions and walking areas. These will be fantastic shooting spaces. But the use of those spaces is more than 6 months away. So this is very much on the long term vision board for now.
Equipment Rental
This is easy to do, there is no reason to do it until we open the studio for rentals. We can resolve this in 24 hours.
Cyc-Wall
This will be built in studio as part of our October build out. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.
Dark Room
Also on the October build out plan.
Membership Directory
A listing for local creatives to find and leverage each other in commercial and artistic projects. I’m still working out some of the software kinks but I’m aiming to at least get a small version of this up and running by November 1st.
A thriving member community
If you are reading this, I mean you. Our intent is to be a member focused organization where the people who actually use our space can help us shape the offerings we have, how they are set up and accessed. We want to listen to you and give you what you need be it 24 hours access, classes and training, more equipment rentals, more space, whatever is going to make you commercially successful and stimulate artistic growth for you.
OK thats enough for our first post. Keep watching this space so you can see the studio develop and grow. And don’t forget to follow our socials so you can be part of our journey.
