(Photo above: Karen Ruane, Wallis Levin, and Kelly Thiel, co-founders of The Wilds | courtesy of charliephoto.com)
The Wilds Bend, LLC is preparing to open a new coworking space for artists and creatives in the same area as GoodLife Brewing and BackPorch Coffee Roasters off Century Drive on the west side of Bend. The space will include artists’ studios and desks to allow for many types of creating – from graphic design and digital arts to painting and clay sculpture. Karen Ruane, Wallis Levin and Kelly Thiel are the women behind this venture – three friends who wanted to work together, and create a hub of artistic energy for the community as well. They hope to open late this summer, after the build out of their space is complete.
The plans for The Wilds not only include providing daily work space, but also art classes and workshops in the evenings and/or on the weekends, exhibitions, meeting space and a general positive energy in which to create. They are interested in the synergy and collaboration that can happen when you get all types of creatives together. The Wilds will be a place of fearless creators who need a place to focus on their work, while enjoying the atmosphere of other entrepreneurial artists.
Each of the co-founders is an artist in their own right. Ruane is a painter and marbling artist with an interest in Art for Stress Management. Levin is a true entrepreneur and has an eBay business selling high-end goods, while she also builds amazing backdrops for photo shoots for local businesses Thiel is a fine artist, working primarily in clay and shows her work nationally.
The Wilds Bend is planning on hosting a Kickstarter campaign in June, to help with the startup capital. With the help of the Kickstarter funds, The Wilds will be able to outfit their space with nicer desks and ergonomic chairs, as well as security cameras and a keypad entry. They also hope to enlist the help of local artisans and feature their works in the space.
For further information on The Wilds, visit their website at www.thewildsbend.com or find them on Instagram and Facebook under the name of thewildsbend.
