Update

We sent out a Request for Qualification statements to area architectural firms. After reviewing the submittals, we narrowed it to two firms. We will be touring those firms’ local projects that have similarities to ours, and plan to have a signed contract by the end of July. The timeline for the project is to have the design work complete by the end of the year and the project out to bid shortly thereafter, with construction beginning in the spring as soon as the weather permits.

We are pleased to be able to approach the expansion as a single construction project rather than having to use a phased approach and appreciate not being restricted by an existing outbuilding as originally planned. With this broader approach, we have decided to build a commercial kitchen that can be used for teaching the culinary arts. Nearby Washington State University has a culinary arts program, and one of the instructors who also owns two restaurants will consult with us and the architects to design the teaching kitchen. We are very excited about this new avenue which will be a strong, new revenue stream for our creativity center.

Status of public art

Funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, public art will soon be installed at the two entries to Uniontown. The tractor and wagon made of parts from antique agricultural equipment are nearly complete and will be installed adjacent to the highway at the south end of town by the end of July. The location has been approved by the Town.

The artist needs more parts for the north piece and was recently told of an old combine that he can dismantle. It will be a larger-than-life cow to be installed between the highway and the Dahmen Barn. The Dahmen Barn was built in 1935 for a commercial dairy operation, so the donor of the Barn to the community is very excited to have a cow. We plan to have a contest to name the cow with the donor choosing the name. The artist’s sketch of the cow sculpture is attached.

Recent Wins

1. An artist who is planning to relocate from the east coast to our area emailed asking to meet with someone at Artisans at the Dahmen Barn because she recognized it as an art hub, both geographically and of creative activities in the region.

2. Restoration of a historic building in downtown Uniontown will include a mural on the side of the building after a new coat of stucco is installed.

3. New owners-to-be of a bakery business in Uniontown are considering expanding the open days to match those of the Dahmen Barn in acknowledgement of increased traffic those days.