Downtown Artery to Re-open

by  CiCi Sharstrom
After closing its doors in January for mandated renovations, the Downtown Artery in Old Town is preparing for an official reopen. Due to code violations, the Artery was closed for a remodel and upgrade, which the owners have been busy with for the past few months. Though the Artery is currently open, owner Amy Bradley says that renovations are still taking place.
Though unexpected, the closure was only a setback for the Artery, and the owners met the challenge of the remodel with positive determination. Dedicated to re-open and continue to provide for the arts community, the Artery is excited to be returning and will only expand and improve with the renovations.
Housed in one of Old Town’s oldest commercial buildings, the Downtown Artery features the work of over 25 local artists, provides a venue for musicians, and offers art classes to the community. Part gallery, part stage and part classroom, the Artery focuses on sharing the arts within the Fort Collins community as well as providing space for artists to collaborate with each other. So far the community support has been great and is expected to improve.
The Artery currently shares space with the Bizarre Bizaar, but anticipates acquiring the downstairs space once Bizarre Bizaar relocates. Though nothing is set in stone yet, the Artery is proactively seeking out ways to develop further. With the expansion, the owners are focused on providing a more intimate venue for local and touring musicians, with plans on opening a café to provide food and drinks to visitors. Classes will also resume with the official re-open, and are expected to expand with the move.
“Our  hope is to open a more intimate music venue, as well as a café area,” says Bradley. “The temporary closure just made us stronger and we’re just going to be getting bigger and better in the future.”
The Artery is set for a grand re-opening on May 2. The opening will feature two Colorado State undergraduate artists and live music. Though there is currently no set time frame for the expansion, the Artery has proven it’s dedicated to sticking around.
To find out more about what Downtown Artery, go to www.downtownartery.com.