Broadway Avenue was alive with the dreams of artists on the rise last Friday. California State University, Stanislaus’s new Art Space on Main attracted a crowd of community members to the corner of Broadway Avenue and Main Street during its opening on Sept. 5, coinciding with University Night at the Downtown Turlock Farmers’ Market.
Spirited faculty, staff, alumni, students and supporters formed a sea of Warrior Red, perusing university booths before making their way to the downtown university art gallery. The newly renovated facility at 135 W. Main Street aims to expose the work of university students, faculty and local artists to the community.
The facility will soon house creativity in a series of different exhibits; however, the ultimate goal goes beyond the measure of gallery walls.
“It’s huge when you think about it,” President Joseph F. Sheley said. “We have for the longest time wanted to have a stronger presence in Downtown Turlock. We are a part of this town, too.”
Now that this want has materialized, the plan is to use this collection of talent to unify people and to strengthen the relationship between CSU Stanislaus and the community.
Through its glass windows, passers-by can view the finished products of the artists.  In the future, patrons will be able to follow the hallways to the rear of the building for an opportunity to engage with the artists while they work.
In addition, the facility is now home to the Building Imagination Center, once located in Downtown Modesto. The center is a video arts exhibit focused on films created in and about the local community.
Gallery Director Dean DeCocker, Art Department Chair Roxanne Robbin, Building Imagination Center Director Jessica Gomula-Kruzic and the partnership of CSU Stanislaus with Masacaja Holdings along with many others worked together to establish this new presence of the university downtown.
President Sheley addressed the university employees and contributors who played a part in bringing the multimedia center to Turlock.
“Don’t look at me, look at these folks – this was one of their creations,” President Sheley said. “They’re the ones who thought of this some time ago, the ones who worked hard.”
Art Space on Main is open to the public from noon to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday with evening hours from 6 – 9 p.m. on Thursdays.