GOODBYE M. L. K. , HELLO DROSSETT DRIVE

As we at Flatbed say goodbye to our home of 20 years at 2830 East M.L.King Blvd., we remember all the great people we've shared this space with.  There are many who have had their studios here and some got their start under this roof.  A few I remember from the past are Bale Creek Allen, Denny McCoy, N. J.  Weaver, Chelsea Fuller Jones of Go Forth Creative,Sarah Stevens, Austin Lyric Opera, Lynda Kaffie, Frontera Theatre, Loot Vintage Rentals, Chu Hui Pak Arnold, Tina Weitz, Sterling Allen, Alisa Marrow, Bill Kennedy, Joel Salcido, Paul Drown, Sharyn Richie, Mark Durbin,  the University of Texas's Creative Research Lab, the University of Texas Faculty Studios, the Jung Society, LaND Architecture, CF Architecture, Paul Drown, Meredith Miller with Punch Press and so, so many more.  We are most sad to say goodbye to our recent tenants that make up the supportive vibrant place that Flatbed has been:  Austin Book Arts Center, Kyle Hawley of Letterpress Play, Troy Campa of Camiba Contemporary, Troy Brauntach, Laurel Barickman of Recspec Gallery, Judy Taylor of Gallery Shoal Creek and her able assistant Laura Harrison, Teresa Hubbard and Alexander Birchler, Steven Eggert, Jacqueline May and Daniel Arredondo. Many of our Flatbed residents have found new places and are relocating. It is with much sadness that we learned that Gallery Shoal Creek, Austin's longest lived contemporary gallery, will no longer have a "brick and mortar" presence in Austin.  The diaspora of arts studios and galleries from Flatbed and other places faced with the challenge of finding new locations will bring a new complexion to the art scene in Austin.  It is our fondest wish that good will come of it and these galleries and studios will flourish in all the new places that they land.

Flatbed is moving to a south-east section of Austin that we see as the possible new Austin design district along Burleson Road.  Currently we are building out the interior of a warehouse space large enough to house Flatbed and another tenant.  Located at 3701 Drossett in suite 190, Flatbed's new space will boast of two studios, one for our publishing work and one for the community.  We'll have the luxury of a larger gallery space and archive area and will have an outside green area perfect for music and outside activities.  We are excited about the prospect of engaging the community even more that before in classes and access to a printmaking studio. 

As of this week, our M. L. K. space will be closed as we continue packing, but we will be accessible by appointment.  The final stages of our move out of M. L. K. will take place at the end of March.  The new studios on Drossett may be ready for occupancy by late May.  Please stay tuned as we'll send emails with updates on the construction.

Here's a few pictures of moving presses out of Flatbed and into storage. There are two photos of the beginning of the framing construction at Drossett.