Writer / Amy Lant-Wenger
Photographer / Sarah Reynolds
Along a rolling ribbon of highway that winds westward of Bremen, the landscape is dotted with tidy homes, vast expanses of farmland, and a modest grouping of historic buildings. Regarding the latter, echoes of a legacy once resonated within those walls. But across the years, the weathered structures became silent and still – that is, until a group of visionaries saw beyond the muted and mellowed facades and harnessed unrealized potential.
Through the works of the Bremen Arts Collective, the complex at 6812 State Road 106 is now a showcase of brilliance and beauty, which stands ready to foster artistry of countless mediums and methods.
The origin of this endeavor dates back to February of 2021, when the founder of Bremen Arts Collective, Derek Jensen, launched the institution as a nonprofit organization. In short order, an ideal site for the future multifaceted art studio was chosen – one that held special significance for Jensen.
It was a place well-known to longtime Bremen residents, owned and operated by a family with deep community roots. The former Senff Wood Products property was well-suited for this ambitious reimagining, and Jensen, a descendant of the Senff family, seemed the best candidate to do exactly that.
By the fall of 2021, the renovations had begun in earnest, and continued until the summer of 2023. As the project concluded, plans were already being laid for the first Bremen Art Market, which took place in October. The official ribbon cutting and grand-opening celebration was held in June of 2023. The facility was outfitted with five private art studios to house local artisans and give them workspaces for their craftsmanship.
There is also a shared studio with spacious proportions for combined interests, wood shop, gallery, meeting space, and classroom-style room to be used for specialized classes. To date, all five of the private studios are now occupied.
Well before the final phases of the renovation were completed, it became quite evident that the concept of a freestyle art studio was going to be very well-received by Bremen. Classes were scheduled for various forms of art creation, and just as fast as the word went out for registration, the classes reached capacity.
“There is a vibrant subculture of arts and crafts in the local area just itching to get out,” Jensen says. “We hope to cultivate that, and see it bloom and beautify the town.”
To that end, a board of directors was implemented and a mission statement was crafted as follows: “To nurture, develop, and enable a community of local artists and artisans by providing the opportunity to create, collaborate, and educate.” Somewhat unofficially, the more concise version of the Bremen Arts Collective’s goal is for folks to “Make Some Art,” a whimsical little message that found its way onto the break-room refrigerator, spelled out with wooden magnets.
A number of Bremen businesses and nonprofit groups have come forward to lend their time and talents to the new workshop, and there are continued beautification efforts planned for 2024. Southwire assisted with the installation of acoustic panels, and the Psi Iota Xi sorority worked with Woodie’s Supermarket to sponsor nutrition classes. This year, local artist Kristyn Kertai, representing Heartland Artists, will be creating a mural that will represent a colorful panorama design connecting the complex of buildings.
And of course, there will be classes for both fledgling and sophisticated artists. There are limitless options to foster artistic inspiration. Coming this spring and summer, there will be courses in various types of painting, drawing, stained glass work, soap and candle making, tie dye, crochet, jewelry, paper quilling, calligraphy, and more, as schedules and interests warrant.
Also coming up this spring, Bremen Arts Collective will be aligning with Psi Iota Xi to present the Spring Into Art Maker’s Market. The date is set for Saturday, May 18 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. The artisan market will feature live music, food trucks and student art awards. Everyone is welcome to attend.
To peruse a complete list of future courses, and to stay apprised of changes and new features, visit bremenarts.com.
