A Permanent Place to Make My Work

I wrote a blog post (https://www.stevelocke.com/blog/i-fit-the-description )a few years ago that detailed the experience of being detained by the police.  It’s gone viral a couple of times and when it does a lot of people ask me if there is anything they can do for me.  I usually just chalk this up to folks being kind, but friends have advised me to let people help where they can.  That’s why I set up this page.  

history
As many of you know I have had studios all over the city of Boston.  This also means that I have moved around a lot over the course of my career here.

I had a studio I loved in Hyde Park for many years, a condo I bought into.  The developer was, well let's just say he was motivated by something other than trying to create artist housing.  People had varying or non-existent commitments to contemporary art practice, so there was no dialogue about art, a hallmark of a thriving artist community. The 10+ year lawsuit  took its toll on friendships, my art work and my health and once I was able to get the building's roof fixed (it used to rain in my studio) I decided to sell the place and move.  You can read about the whole ordeal here. https://www.stevelocke.com/blog/welcome-to-my-nightmare 

I have a great realtor (thanks Larry Lawfer )  who was patient, smart, and knew what I needed was a place for a studio.  He helped me find a house in Dedham that belonged to a retired stonemason. It wasn't in the best shape (neither am I) but the structure was good and more importantly, it had an above grade basement with a carport that I could turn into a studio.

project
The goal here is to turn the existing basement and carport into a working artist's studio with appropriate lighting, access, storage, and ventillation. To do this:

Upgrade electrical system to code and replace electrical panel to allow for the use of a variety of power tools.

Remove and replace inefficient (and gigantic) oil-heat furnace and water heater with wall mounted gas
models that with smaller footprints and better venting to increase working space.

Remove walls, reinforce joists, remove existing chimney, and regonfigure space to create work areas and storage.

Close off, insulate, and build out existing carport to increase working space.

The wonderful Patti Seitz of Seitz Architects http://www.seitz-architects.com has drawn up plans for how this could work.  I'm deeply grateful to her for her excellent work and patience.  


The orange outline is what I am currently using for my studio.  The blue is the space that will be available after the project is complete.

I cannot stress what an impact having this studio will have on my work.  I will have a stable place to make my work that will not be subject to the vicissitudes of rentals or other people.  I will finally have a home studio to work in.

If you want to learn more about my studio work, go here www.stevelocke.com

Thanks for considering.