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9th St. Studios – So Much More Than Expected

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By now,  most residents of Wichita Falls are aware of the surge of life downtown and the recent growth of the art scene. This growth is not by accident, but is fueled by the passionate individuals that have caught a vision for an active local art scene. Such is the case with Becky Raeke, Linda Deason, and Stephen Taylor at 9th St. Studios. Since opening last October,  9th St. Studios has exploded with activity, hosting events on a regular basis including art shows, live music, and even birthday parties and weddings. When asked for his thoughts on the studios success, manager Stephen Taylor said, “9th Street has become more than what we had initially intended; private studio space for artists. Our place has become a showroom for art, music, and events”.

In April, photographer Carl Dunn showcased his collection of work portraying rock and roll legends of the 60’s and 70’s and the place was packed with onlookers. For May, they organized an event with Tulsa artist Daniel Gulick, allowing him to paint a mural on the building, followed by an art show of Daniel’s recent work. Daniel is tattoo artist/shop owner and painter that has several murals around the Tulsa area.

On June 16th, The Hub of NTX will be celebrating our first birthday at 9th St. Studios. It will be an open party with no admission, live music, free food, cake, beer, and wine. We chose 9th St. for its cozy atmosphere. It feels like home for us. They are not only focused on their little corner of the world, but stay very active in the art community. Any night of the week you can find Stephen out on the town soaking in live music. Stephen, Linda, and Becky participate in the planning of events such as the After Hours Artwalk. Becky has taken the helm of this event and plays a critical role in its success.

This venue has so much to offer and has been well received. In reflecting over the past seven months of the studio’s life Becky says, “It has been received by the community better than expected. It has brought a lot of life to not only downtown, but to our personal lives in general. We’ve met so many great people.”