Sneak peek: Spruill expands into Chamblee with Spruill Studios

In 2023, when Spruill Center for the Arts developed its strategic plan, a conversation began to evolve about the needs of their arts community. Based in Dunwoody since 1975, until this point, the arts nonprofit has occupied two physical locations — the sprawling Spruill Center for the Arts, a multifunctional facility with workshops, administrative offices and event space; and Spruill Gallery and Gift Shop, located along Ashford Dunwoody Road. When artists expressed their desire for affordable studio spaces they could rent to create new works, that became an important part of the organization’s long-term plan. Reviews with more than 40 stakeholders identified art studios as one of the top goals, albeit high-risk to bring to fruition.

At first, Spruill Center for the Arts CEO Alan Mothner looked for a suitable space near the Center’s existing facilities in Dunwoody. Nearby vacancies were too small, too expensive or both. In conversations with District 4 Council Member Elmer Veith and Chamblee Mayor Brian Mock, the idea of repurposing Chamblee’s former City Hall came to light. After a new City Hall was built, the old building had sat dormant for around three years, just waiting for the right proposal to come down the line. 

It didn’t take long for Mothner and Spruill Gallery Director and Curator Shannon Morris to see the potential of this space, and they began working in earnest on a plan to convert it into affordable artist studios beginning around the summer of 2025. “We had the idea but not the space, and it just worked out perfectly,” said Mothner. 

While Spruill has been a mainstay in Dunwoody for more than 50 years, Morris shared that its surveys of artists revealed a surprising truth: Many artists didn’t want their studio to be in the heart of downtown Dunwoody. Instead, they hoped for a facility that would be more centrally located for Spruill’s population — around 60% of which commute from neighboring communities including Sandy Springs, Doraville, Brookhaven, Buckhead and, of course, Chamblee.

“It just is, again, just perfect for us and also to be situated right here in the middle of downtown Chamblee,” said Mothner as we sat together at a table in the studios’ parking lot. “There’s a guy walking his dog, and a woman just came by with her babies in the stroller, and people are coming out to lunch. It’s got that feel that we don’t have with our current locations in terms of walkability. It’s really cool.”

Construction is now well underway at Spruill Studios, where a team is converting offices into individual studio spaces ranging from around 104-square-feet to 198-square-feet. Some studios will be completely enclosed, while others will feature partial-height walls, allowing for light and air flow from above. When finished, the space will house 15 artist studios plus a break room, bathrooms and a front lobby and meeting room which will feature rotating art exhibitions visible from the main road. Mothner shared that Spruill is investing around $100,000 to build out the studios. 

“We have a three-year lease with the city. Our annual rent will cover the annual rent that we’re charging to artists, so it’s $1.50 a square foot,” said Mothner, who pointed out that, as a nonprofit, the plan shouldn’t be about making money for profit’s sake — those funds should be used to tangibly support working artists. “
All of that goes back into what we do, and then we expand our impact by doing major projects like this. That’s what gets me up in the morning. That’s cool.” 

Resident artists will have 24/7 access to their studios through a secure back entrance, and the cohort will open their studios during special events in Chamblee such as the annual Chalk Walk. Morris also shared that by installing an exhibition space that will hopefully be managed by resident artists, it will be easier than ever to invite gallery and museum curators to visit and check out the work being created there. Spruill Studios will also employ staff to oversee the front desk and act as a liaison between the public and the artists, facilitating programming that not only provides valuable private work space but also opportunities to become a part of the fabric of the community itself.

“You know, for me, I really want it to be artist-centered,” said Morris, when discussing the development of the facility and how it fits in with Spruill’s greater mission to support local artists. “
There’s lots of things that are asked of artists, and very few people will ask ‘What do you need?’” The expansion into affordable studio spaces is a very real example of walking the talk for Spruill.

Spruill currently has an open call for artists to submit applications for the space through March 27. Construction is set to be completed in the next few months, with a grand opening planned for June. For applications, more information, plus a floor plan and a full list of available studios with pricing and square footage, visit the Spruill website.

::

Isadora Pennington is ArtsATL’s senior editor of art + design and dance. An experienced writer and photographer with a deep love for the arts, Isadora founded the Sketchbook newsletter with Rough Draft Atlanta in 2022. She is also president of the Avondale Arts Alliance and director of the Avondale Arts Center.