Arthouse Rescue Project

Arthouse started as an idea by four creative artists Adam Mena, Christopher Geigle, Creighton Geigle, and Erik Beltran. They then made an idea into a reality by creating a space that was urban, fresh, and a foundation for young up and coming artists. Over the years Arthouse has helped hundreds of artists gain the recognition that they deserved without charging a ridiculous commission fee. Our goal for our gallery was never intended to make money but it was to host some of the most innovative, high energy, and creative shows that Fresno has ever seen. Our gallery’s motto was “By the Artist for the Artist” ensuring that every artist was treated equally and with the upmost respect that they deserved.

The Arthouse collective is not done yet! Yes our physical location of our gallery is getting shut down but we the artists will continue to create, curate, and collaborate with various artists throughout the Central Valley. We are going to continue to strive to provide our community with pop up shows, visual playgrounds, and continue to curate the art for music festivals such as Grizzly Fest 2017! The Arthouse collective will always continue to inspire those like us the “Do It Yourself” people. We did not create Arthouse to make money like other galleries instead we created the Arthouse gallery for the COMMUNITY! We love our City and we will continue to provide art to our community for the rest of our lives. We are only 28 & 29 years old and there is still plenty of years to transform Fresno’s art scene into a destination for all audiences throughout the nation.

With this said, the long journey has come to an end at the 1612 H Street location. We had a great 4 1/2 years at that location promoting local artists, musicians, vendors, and other small businesses but due to the outbreak of the fire at the Ghost Ship in Oakland, the Fresno Fire Department have been cracking down on DIY creative spaces. Our gallery got hit pretty hard by the Fire Department stating that our building was not up to code. We have been inspected by the Fire Department annually since we opened in 2012 and as recently as this past October. We were told as long as we were working toward making the improvements they would allow us to remain open. We have continuously been working on making the improvements however the Fire Department never informed us about providing permits for Temporary studios prior to the incident of the Ghost Ship in Oakland. As many of you may have seen the news clip that aired today on channel 26 stating that we were a gallery similar to Oakland’s Ghost Ship, this statement was false. Our gallery provided tenants with written contracts stating the rules of our space. One of those rules was not using the gallery as residence but only as a work space. The City of Fresno found no evidence of people living in our gallery when they came out to inspect our building a few weeks ago.

We shared all the information from the Fresno Fire Department with the new owner of the building and the owner is not willing to make any code improvements or provide any assistance with the necessary permits. Chris and I are unable to finically comply with the requirements requested from the Fire Department. We therefore have decided to close the 1612 H street location.

All things must come to an end but I wish we had more time to do a proper farewell show. Chris, Creighton, Erik and I would like to thank all the artists, musicians, vendors, foods trucks, and local businesses who we collaborated with over the years. We would also like to thank our local community, our family members, and friends who stuck with us throughout the rough times when Arthouse was barely being developed. A huge Thank YOU goes out to our friend Mark at C&C Party Rentals for being such a great neighbor who looked after us and helped us with various projects at Arthouse throughout the years. We would also like to thank Reza Assemi for putting a good word for us to the owner of the building so that we could let our creative minds have a field day in this unique space. Lastly, we would like to thank those of you that came to our shows and enjoyed the art, music, and the friendly vibes we appreciate all of your love. Without the community and the local artists Arthouse would not have been as successful as it was. You guys are amazing!!!! Thank You for your love and support! This is not goodbye but a new chapter in our lives. Chris and I have some surprises up our sleeves for the future of Arthouse. We look forward to 2017 and even without our gallery space Arthouse will be remembered in the decades to come as one of the most influential galleries that Fresno has ever had.


This GoFundMe Campaign will help offset some of the costs to close the gallery and pay fines. We would like to invite you to donate whatever you can to help us with these fees.  
This campaign will also serve as a way to help save money to put a deposit on a new space so that we could continue to create and provide superior shows for you, the community.


Much Love,

Adam Mena & Christopher Geigle
Co-owners
Arthouse

Videos provided by Wysefools & Gary Magill