Last year five creative artists converged in a downtown loft studio to capture the hearts and minds of Squamish residents with a variety of programs, initiatives and endeavours.
One year later, Homebase Studios has made a name for itself as a hub for art classes, art history lessons and as a community contributor to several local events. It has also expanded to house six artists and a more eclectic mix than anticipated in the artsy loft.
"It's been pretty great so far with what we've been able to accomplish within a year," said Stan Matwychuk, Homebase Studios business manager and artist. "It's been one thing after another."
In addition to personal accomplishments for each of the artists, the studio's tenants helped complete and orchestrate the Fields mural project, worked with the Squamish Arts Council (SAC) on the Alice Wonderlands Magical Mystery Tour event and held live art stations at several events including the Squamish Equinox Rock Festival (SERF).
Tenants include Matwychuk, who does murals and graphic design, large canvas painter Samera Gibson, accessories and textile design artist Amber Butler, motion graphics artist Laurel Terlesky, media graphics designer Mate Smith and silversmith Chantel Roberts.
To celebrate a successful year in Squamish, Homebase Studios is hosting "Swank!" - a rooftop soirée complete with a silent auction, patio music and wine and appetizers on Sunday (July 17) at 5 p.m.
"There's going to be appies and wine and a DJ and a silent auction where we'll put up a bunch of art we have in studio and allow people to offer what they can afford," said Matwychuk.
"We want to share our art with everybody; there's no point in us hoarding our own art. We're just going to have a nice meet and greet to say thanks and hopefully the weather's nice so we can hang out on the rooftop."
The dress is somewhat fancy - dinner jackets and heels are requested.
Matwychuk said he doesn't know what Year 2 will hold but he's hopeful the success will continue.
"We're really in the moment right now and really thankful for what happened this past year, so we're just taking the time to sit down to reflect before we decide what the next step is," he said.
"Don't really know what's next right now but things are looking good."
Matwychuk, who is a SAC and Downtown Business Improvement Association board member, will likely be involved in beautifying the hydro boxes downtown -a project slated to happen in 2011.
Homebase Studios is also hoping to have a performance painting stage at this year's Live At Squamish event.
