While exploring the community archive this summer, I stumbled upon a beautiful old photo of CR8TV HOUSE, taken by my dad in the 1980s. As I stared at the image, memories flooded back—like the familiar fencing and the towering trees that were fixtures of my childhood. Other details, like the open porch and garden planters, were from a time before my own, adding layers of history to the space. The photo was a poignant reminder of how much things evolve, serving as a testament to growth and resilience. It honored the past while fueling our vision to reimagine the future. Documenting the present alongside this glimpse into the past reaffirmed the importance of using art to spark community conversations, especially around family stories and memory-keeping. This work feels like a bridge, connecting generations and preserving the essence of what once was, as we continue to create what will be.
This summer, our vision for THE CR8TV HOUSE truly came to life. With the help of our community, we spent months working together to transform the space into a creative hub for Black and Brown artists. With the help of Public Allies Milwaukee, Community volunteers and local artists we refreshed the rooms turned studios and the gallery space by painting the space with new colors. We updated the community archive with new bookshelves and reorganized the books, equipment and old photographs left behind by Anthony Swan. We were energized by the progress and planned all summer long for what we hoped would be our inaugural fall 2024 exhibition. Everything was moving along beautifully—until we hit an unexpected shift in the plan.
Just when we thought we were ready to welcome artists and the community through our doors, we discovered that the plumbing needed a complete overhaul. A complete hit to the humble operating budget, and after pouring our hearts and resources into every detail of the renovation, learning about the extent of the plumbing issue felt like a gut punch. I cried for days. Suddenly, the timeline we had carefully planned became uncertain, and we had to make quick decisions about how to move forward. I felt defeated and wanted to give up, but my husband and Board members would not let us sit in defeat. They pushed me to solve this problem and get it done.
This experience reminded us of the importance of being nimble and open to new possibilities. In any project, especially one rooted in community and creativity, you have to be prepared for the unexpected. We had to shift our perspective and remind ourselves that this wasn’t a setback but an opportunity to strengthen the foundation—literally and metaphorically—of what we were building.
Thanks to our deep connections with Joyce's House Education Center, we were introduced to a licensed plumber who not only had the expertise we needed but also believed in the mission of THE CR8TV HOUSE. He understood our vision of supporting artists and reimagining space, and offered a generous discount to his services to help us move forward. This wasn’t just a repair—it was a reminder of how essential community relationships are in overcoming challenges.
As we now plan for our upcoming exhibition—date to be determined— and few community events, we are even more committed to our vision. There’s still a lot of work ahead, including finishing the plumbing (we need to close the walls, get a new toilet, faucet, and vanity), upgrading the electrical system, and installing exterior doors (which are coming soon thanks to another generous donation). Despite the unexpected twists, the community has consistently shown up for us in ways we never could have anticipated.
This summer has been a powerful reminder of the importance of staying flexible and embracing the unexpected. Often, the greatest challenges lead to the most meaningful connections and exciting new possibilities. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has supported CR8TV HOUSE along the way and can’t wait to showcase the fruits of this collective effort at our inaugural exhibition.
To help us cover the remaining renovation costs, we invite you to consider making a one-time or monthly donation via DonorBox OR show your support by purchasing our Limited Edition Signature T-Shirt, order form at bottom of email!
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