SLO County artists can gather in new downtown studio for workshops, events
Downtown Atascadero is now home to a community gathering space for artists, musicians — and possibly, ping-pong enthusiasts.
Fieldwork was originally founded by husband-and-wife artists Arthur and Allie Mount as a solution to their commutes to and from San Luis Obispo or Morro Bay for creative workshops.
The pair said they originally partnered with Dark Nectar in Atascadero to host evening workshops, and then bounced around from location to location before securing the business’s first permanent home on El Camino Real toward the north end of town, near the Circle K.
But that location proved tough, due to its remoteness and lack of foot traffic, Arthur told The Tribune.
At the start of March, the Mounts received the keys to their new space — at 5880 Entrada Ave., right in the heart of downtown Atascadero — where they hope to expand their offerings and grow their community.
“It’s nice to be in the space, and it’s nice to be in the community,” he said.
Fieldwork provides art workshops, live music and more
Fieldwork — a name that stems from the scientific practice of working in the world rather than from home or an office — offers a myriad of artistic workshops and community events, and the owners said they hope to use their new space to offer even more opportunities.
In partnership with Atascadero business owner and silversmith Amy Beams, the team hosts regular workshops for figure drawing, stone-setting, fabricating a stack of silver rings, writing, block-printing and more.
Fieldwork also offers an open-studio art club on the first and third Tuesday of each month. The club started as a textile workshop, but ultimately, Fieldwork opened up the club for all artists to gather in the community and practice any medium.
Allie described it as a way for local artists to “support each other and get off our phones, and just be in community and and make things together.”
The first open studio at the new location was held April 7 — and Allie said the event was a success.
“People packed up all their creative stuff, brought it here to just be together and work together,” she said. “And people were talking the whole time. We had records playing. We always have just like little snacks, tea, bubble water, beer and wine in the fridge.”
“It was good,” she continued. “We had a really good turnout, and just a really nice vibe.”
Fieldwork also participated in “By Her Hands,” a community event celebrating female artists and makers in Atascadero on March 14.
In the future, the team hopes to expand their events and offerings even further. They said they plan to host local and visiting musicians in the space for live music events and are open to other suggestions from community members.
Allie told The Tribune that at some point, Fieldwork may become home to a running ping-pong tournament.
“We’re open to lots of things,” Arthur added. “... It’s a great space. It’s just like a shell that transforms into all kinds of things.”
The duo also said they want Fieldwork to serve as what’s called a “third space” for the community. Third spaces are typically places where people can gather and make connections, apart from their home or workplace.
“We’re kind of out in the field,” Arthur told The Tribune. “That’s how I see it.”
Fieldwork posts a monthly calendar of its events on its website. The listed workshops ranged from free to $140.
Events include the twice-a-month Tuesday art club, weekly figure drawing on Wednesday night, a block-printing workshop on Saturday afternoon and back-to-back silversmith workshops for ring stacking and stone setting on Sunday.
Fieldwork is also accepting ideas for new workshops to host in its space, via an online application.
Fieldwork has not yet established regular hours beyond its planned events as the team continues to workshop its business model.
