ST. JOHN — When renovating a historic building, it’s what’s inside that really counts.
At the turn of the last century, St. John’s William Gray was a photographer that never used film. He loved glass plates, and for the first part of the 20th Century recorded life in the Stafford County area with nearly 30,000 images on glass. Many of these plates are being kept at the Stafford County Historical Society Museum.
The Gray Portrait Studio (GPS) building in St. John that embodies that rich history is transforming into the Art Center at Gray Photo Studio. With the help of a $50,000 Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) grant from the state and a matching $50,000 loan from the SJN Bank of Kansas, the building is being renovated inside and out, in keeping with its new purpose.
“There are stories within stories that need to be told at GPS,” noted St. John artist Carol Long. “When I stepped in the back door of Gray Studio, I was struck by its enduring potential to be a wonderful working studio.” Long is actively guiding the Gray Studio restoration project with the hopes of setting up a resident artist there. “Then there’s the story of the W.R. Gray family and the histories they have captured with photography throughout the last century,” she said.
Implementing the plan
GPS, Long and the Stafford County Economic Development organization have collaborated in the project, which began last year on the exterior of the building.
Projects completed in 2023 include: adding structural support to heavy north photography window; restoration of windows and window openings; and repainted the building exterior. With that complete, the project moves inside for 2024.
“There is still more work to be done to get the building ready to open,” Long noted.
The prospective floor plan calls for one-room apartment, kitchen, restroom and private workroom for a potential resident artist. Additionally, the main floor will contain a large workroom, utility space, museum and retail space for artists on consignment. “We decided to keep the floors, but there will be an amount of sheetrock and painting needed,” Long said.
The second floor is to consist of two bedrooms, closet and bath space, along with a laundry.
Fundraising plans
SCED and GPS have launched a fundraising campaign in an effort to raise an additional $20,000. An on-line auction will go live at 5 p.m. Friday, March 29 and run through Saturday, March 30 at 11 p.m. To register for the auction, go to https//givebutter.com/c/grayphotostudio.
The auction features 10 artists familiar with the benefits of community arts programming, who have created pieces for the event, Long said. “My assistant Olivia Stinson and I are both ceramic artists, so you will notice a lot of clay in the auction,” Long said. Other participating artists include Steven Hill, Linda Ganstrom, Sheldon Ganstrom, Eric Stearns, Delvin Goode, Holly Hendrick, Mike Stumbras, Taylor Craig and Tyler Dallis. “The artists range from studio artists to college instructors,” Long noted.
A place for art
When completed, the Art Center will enhance the quality of life in the community by providing a safe, warm and friendly environment as well as a creative outlet that encourages self expression and assists individuals in creative growth and development.
“The studio will provide a venue that will attract both emerging and professionally established artists to display work and offer workshops, insight, or lessons to the community,” Long explained.
“It’s purpose is also to educate the public on the historical significance of Gray Studio and Mr. Gray’s past contribution to the preservation of our community’s history through photography.”
