You may have noticed the art-filled and incredibly beautiful new building on North Main Street this summer when returning back to school or just taking a casual stroll down the historic streets of Farmville, Va.
Inside that building is a space for creativity, imagination and, most importantly, art, which opened on May 2, 2015 during the Heart of Virginia Festival.
Appropriately named after what will soon be the most recognizable part of its structure, Red Door 104 was founded by Audrey Sullivan, who dedicates her life to exploring the arts and spreading that passion to others.
Sullivan, who has taught art for 12 years, said, “I moved from Northern Virginia and always wanted to renovate an old building and it made sense to put the two (art and renovating) together. I needed a building of my own so I can teach and work. I love teaching and thought why not start Red Door 104? There is nothing in Farmville like it.”
At Red Door 104, visitors can find themselves doing almost anything related to the arts, whether on a date in the studio space or attending one of their many offered classes for a relatively low price.
The studio offers classes for kids and adults, including glass and bead mosaics, watercolor painting, making oil and body scrubs, shoe painting and much more.
Both Sullivan and her husband Kent moved to Farmville, Va. in 2013 and after finding the space at 104 North Main Street, moved into the building, opened the studio space and are still working after two years to turn the old building into a spruced up business full of artistic passion.
But what about that red door that inspired the name? According to Sullivan, the door is 11 feet tall and six feet wide. It is over 500 years old, was brought to North America from Spain and will soon cement itself as a staple that greets visitors to Red Door 104 as they enter the studio.
Sullivan said that the next step for Red Door 104 is “probably the most exciting part.” Currently the real red door is on its way and is still not up. Sullivan collected the door at a salvage yard and it is currently in a workshop being restored.
Sullivan said, “I can’t even tell you how beautiful the door is. The logo for Red Door 104 is the top section of the door.”
Inside, visitors can find a gallery that is currently featuring Sullivan’s work as well as open studio space that costs six dollars per hour to use.
Whether you decide to go to Red Door 104 alone or with a group, you have options that make the business truly unique to Farmville. The studio offers paint parties, workshops and even holds birthday parties for various costs that anyone can enjoy.
In order to reach out and give to the community that welcomed them back in 2013, Sullivan and her husband started The Red Door 104 Scholarship Fund; anyone can donate and the proceeds are awarded based on portfolio work and proof of parent income. The scholarship was created so that no talented student will be turned away who cannot afford to use the studio.
Sullivan said, “I happen to know that Farmville is somewhat economically oppressed with many low income families. It is really important to me that Red Door 104 is accessible to everyone and not just those who can afford it. We want to start collecting enough funds for that one kid who has amazing talent but might be able to afford to take our classes.”
They are currently putting together a board of directors and are hoping that in about a year or two, they can award the first scholarship once they get it up and running.
Sullivan not only owns Red Door 104, but also founded the Escaped Artists Studio in Annapolis, Md., the “Kid Zone” in Northern Virginia and has worked at places such as the Center for the Arts at the Candy Factory in Manassas, Va.
Red Door 104 offers paint parties that Sullivan said are great for college students and their organizations. They also offer student discounts for anyone with a Longwood ID and are “very open to college students.”
For more information about classes and other offered activities at Red Door 104, people can check out their website online, or just walk through the doors at 104 North Main Street and see the space for themselves.
In spring 2016, Red Door 104 is planning on having a grander opening.
