Second Impressions

My original introduction to the King Edward building where my studio now resides was underwhelming. I was there one fall night to attend a fashion presentation in the old gymnasium and scuddle through a building-wide art installation before renovations began. Dark and cluttered, the space was difficult to imagine otherwise. I lacked the vision of the cSPACE team to see the sky-high wainscoted ceilings, breezily wide hallways, and gorgeous paned windows of the 1912 heritage building.

Despite my hesitations, Ken encouraged me to take a second look. I sported a hard hat and close toed shoes on a sweltering summer day to meet then CEO Reid Henry, who introduced me to my old inspirational scrapbook incarnate. Exposed brick features and original wooden doors balanced the white washed walls and minimal aesthetic, creating the perfect paradox. I’d always assumed Calgary was too new to have anything like what I’d always dreamed of for my studio space, but boy was I wrong… and lucky.

This past Monday I spent the afternoon sewing alone in the beautiful building. As I danced to my little radio and filled up my cup doing what has made me happy since I was ten years old, I was overwhelmed with joy and awe. It blows my mind that Deeter decided to realize his architecture master’s thesis in this city, that Ken happened to be bidding on a public art installation on site, that his belief in me and my business gave me the courage I needed to take on a new space despite a newborn, that Nina was willing to share the small studio with me, thus halving the financial risk, and that my application was accepted despite being past the submission deadline. I guess this is how things can go when they are truly meant to be.

Jacket: Double Zip Moto
Photos: Hero Images