Help build an Art Studio at Volland
Art Studio-to-be, photo by Mike Sinclair
in the “Note to seller” box, add: Art Studio
Naming opportunity available
Renovating this existing building will maintain the historical character of Volland and keep it within the “campus” of the artist residences.
For more history of the house see below
A purpose-built painting studio is pivotal to the Volland Residency Program, which awards artists from across the country and, indeed, the world, the gift of time and space in the endangered tallgrass prairie of the Kansas Flint Hills. For more information about our artist residency program, click here .
DECEMBER 2024 UPDATE
When not in use as an artist studio for the residency program, it will provide a place for workshops and community-related art programs, as well as a small AirBnb.
The current plan is to renovate the original living area of the house into an art studio, allowing for natural light and adequate space for working. A lean-to addition will provide a small sleeping space, kitchen area, and an ADA-compliant entrance and bathroom. The exterior of the building will be kept as original as possible. As plans continue to develop, they will be updated here.
Design by eldorado architects
The final floor plan will continue to be updated to provide living space.
History
The house was originally located on the Fix farm next door (where Mill Valley Lodge now stands). One of the Fix daughters married the storekeeper in Volland, and the newlyweds were living in the shed addition of the Store. Mr. and Mrs. Fix hitched up some workhorses to drag this house from their farm to sit next to the store – to provide a proper residence for their daughter. Later, Bill and Otto Kratzer occupied this house when they came to Volland to open Kratzer Brothers Mercantile in 1906. It was eventually moved to its present location. (We are not sure how that was done!)
In later years it was owned by John Cromer, a long-time resident of Volland. It was a gathering place for his descendants, who were cousins that had moved to the East and West coasts. The cousins are now deceased, and the remaining family gifted it to The Volland Store LLC, who donated it to the Volland Foundation in November 2020.
It will be filled with life again, and we think the Kratzer brothers, Mr. Cromer, and the cousins would be pleased – and Mr. and Mrs. Fix of course.
Any amount is greatly appreciated
Thank you for your consideration!
