Creative Collective "The Space" Celebrates One Year In Cedar Falls

Welcome to The Space. You may have walked by the enigmatic vine-covered building on Second Street, but not known what exactly it was all about. The answer: music, local art and encouraging creativity.

The building housed Gateway Records for years, and Chance Greaves, 23, said Gateway owner John Jacobs had expressed frustration with the low use it was getting. So, after discussions with Cedar Falls resident Emily Berregaard, The Space was born.

Berregaard, who has since left Cedar Falls, started the non-profit art venue with sisters Tasha and Tia Woods, Rebekah Engstrom and Greaves. Together with the support of friends, the four turned Jacob's building into a public art center.

The non-profit spot dedicated to showcasing art and music opened in downtown Cedar Falls one year ago.

"It's basically just a place for whatever you want to do," Greaves said. "Art, music, anything. It's a creative space."

On March 19, a group of The Space enthusiasts gathered to kick-off a week of nightly music shows to celebrate the venue's first year anniversary. Running The Space is largely a group effort, they said, with a core group consistently showing up and keeping things flowing.

"The people who are really into it just kind of help out," Greaves said. "Everyone kind of pitches in."

One thing the group prides itself on is the eclectic nature of the art they offer.

Music features have been, "Crazy random bands," Jonny Dexter, 21, said. "We've had girls with harps, hip hop, acoustic instruments, experimental T.V. music, noise bands, rap."

The only things they don't have, Gage Wente, 18, said, is food and alcohol, though there are occasional potlucks. On March 19, members planned to grill hot dogs on the downtown sidewalk outside the building. As some prepared the grill, others chatted and a few did laps on their skateboards.

"This is a small group of kids that doesn't like to sit around playing video games," Dexter said.

The Space stalwarts emphasized anyone is welcome.

"It's definitely open to everybody to come hang out," Kaya Winsor, 22, said.

The Space is usually open for scheduled shows and Tuesdays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., as well as by appointment. Appointments can be made by calling Greaves at 712-330-6712 or Tasha Woods at 319-242-1197. Show times are announced on fliers papering the venue's windows and community bulletin boards and on the Space Jams 109 Facebook group page.