Calling all artists: The Vision Building is worth checking out

When Kristen Morton drove past the former Riverstone International School high school building on Broadway a few months ago and noticed it was for lease, the clothing designer started envisioning something unique for its future.

“When I went inside the building for the first time, there was something inspiring about it,” Morton said. “It just seemed like the perfect space for bringing incredibly talented people together.”

The idea of a collective arts building is now becoming a reality at 214 S. Broadway, and it’s the brainchild of Morton, a designer of women’s fashion for Mesela Studios. The concept is that musicians, sculptors, painters, you name it, can rent a small or large studio in the 15,000-square-foot building, and showcase their talent in one location.

The 1913 building offers 16 individual rooms that can be personalized depending on the artist’s craft and it’s undergoing some cosmetic renovations and modernization. A certain number of rooms will be available at an hourly rate; others will carry leases of six months to one year. The Vision Building is expected to open Mar. 1.

“There have been some stressful moments for sure in deciding to take on this project,” Morton said. “It’s exciting and it should give artists a place to challenge themselves, and each other.”

I couldn’t help but wonder if Morton, whose own work takes her to fashion shows around the globe, might be a bit overly ambitious with her plan for the Vision Building. Her response…which I love…is that when she gets an idea in her head, she goes for it.

“My husband, family and friends know me and when I get on to something, it generally happens,” she said.

“I’ve been in business my entire life and the possibilities of bringing artists together like this definitely overshadows the negative.”

If you’re interested in taking a tour, learning more, or even becoming a tenant at Vision, you can contact Morton at kristen@meselastudios.com or visionboise@gmail.com.

Jennifer Gonzalez works at Alternate Energy Holdings in Eagle. Prior to that, she covered construction, real estate and development news for the Idaho Business Review. You can reach her by email at jennifergonzalez80@gmail.com or on Twitter @jenn_gonzalez.

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