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COMMUNITY EDUCATION SPACE Undulating art Colorful fence in Phoenix is the start of something greater By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 8, 2016 @ 12:01 am By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 8, 2016 @ 12:01 am » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> PHOENIX — A 400-foot fence made of old and colorful materials along Colver Road just south of First Street foretells of something greater: a center that will be devoted to learning and fostering creativity among all ages. Rogue Valley Brainery and Ludoteca is planned on a .8-acre site once owned by Associated Cold Storage. Tommy Larson and Pam Ryan purchased the property to create communities of learners and provide a place where their children could learn from others. “In looking for options for our kids, we were unable to find anything to satisfy our needs,” Ryan said. She wants to see mentoring and programs, in which the community educates itself, emerge at the center. A ludoteca is a European toy library where children and parents can visit to play with toys. The Brainery has already collected toys for children to experience. While renovation of the storage firm’s former office space continues at the south end of the property, the center is making itself known through the fence. “The whole concept was we would take all these old articles and assemble them into an undulating art space,” said Ryan. Groups and individual artists will be invited to submit concepts for art pieces on panels that form part of the fence. Most of the fence work has been done under the direction of machinist Zep Charlton, who usually works on weekends. He’s scrounged material from old ranches and homesteads in the Rogue Valley. There’s an assortment of metal roofing, weathered wood, doors, window frames and some already decorated panels in place at the site. City planning commissioners, acting as an art review board, approved installation of the fence. There will be 1,000 feet of fence, including a portion on First Street. “She wanted to do something to be fun and embrace the community,” said Larson. “The general reaction is that it is pretty well liked, but there are a few (people) that aren’t sure.” Behind the fence, on land bordered by railroad tracks, there will be a permaculture play area where kids can learn about the cycles of nature or just engage in whatever comes up. “We want to give them more freedom to explore on their own,” said Larson. The former office space has a large central area bordered by smaller spaces that will be used for events and sessions. “I feel every community has people in it to really educate children, they just don’t have a venue,” said Ryan. “There could be lots of creative growth.” Ryan, Larson and others hope to begin offering events this spring. “We want to create a sort of common space so we can have events for the community that are entertaining, informative and educational,” said Michael Flynn, who works with Ryan and Larson. “Everyone has something to share. We are trying to create a collaboration.” Events may cover a variety of disciplines, including dance, art, poetry, literature, technology, music and more. “We are still working on the center, putting in a new floor and doing a bunch of electrical work and getting it suitable for gatherings for different groups,” said Larson. The organization is pursuing nonprofit status. Tony Boom is an Ashland freelance writer. Reach him at [email protected]. By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 8, 2016 @ 12:01 am » Comment or view comments Terms of Service /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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