Help Me Open A Gothic Pole And Art Studio in PDX

Some of you may know me by a different name, but my dancer name is Ruby. I am fundraising to help me open a gothic pole and art studio in Portland, Oregon!

As far back as I can remember, I have loved to draw and I have loved to dance. At one point, I even dreamed of becoming a professional dancer one day. Fast forward around 30 years…I have earned a Masters of Fine Arts and I teach pole classes, as well as dance at a strip club. I have found a pole community that I love to teach, feel supported and safe in at Studio 4 Pole 4 Fun in Vancouver, WA. I have also started holding pop up non traditional drawing classes at an inventive new artist space, Our 3rd Space in Vancouver, WA.

As I have continued to dance and make art simultaneously, I realized there is an intersection with these passions. Many dancers make art not only with their bodies, but many also draw, paint and sculpt. Wouldn’t it be great if a space existed where all of these types of art can happen under one roof?

I want to create a space in Portland where artists can come and create art with their bodies in all of these ways. Much like Studio 4 and Our 3rd Space, the space would create, foster and support an artist community that is open minded, forward thinking and safe for every artist to play and develop their skills. To be clear, I would continue to teach and be a part of the pole and art community in Vancouver. I would also create a new combined pole and art space in Portland.

This would be a non-binary artist and stripper-run space that combines pole dance, art, and an art gallery. This space would have pole classes for all sizes and genders, figure drawing classes where the model uses a pole, erotic drawing classes and sculpting classes. This space would also have gallery shows focused on eroticism, LGBTQIA, black artists, art for social change, feminist art, trans art and a woman art show. I also want a community art night that involves a movie projector. This space will not tolerate any hate or bigotry.

Although I have money saved for all of the supplies I need to open this space, I am still short in projected start up costs. If you support me in this fundraiser, your money will go towards the cost of rent during construction, planning an opening, as well as any unforeseen financial circumstances within the first year of opening. Please help me fulfill my dream!