ABOUT K Space Contemporary

MISSION
K Space Contemporary is an artist operated, 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to presenting and promoting
contemporary art to South Texas. Acting as a forum for creative exchange and experimentation, K Space Contemporary aspires to educate, build and nurture an audience for innovative art in the Coastal Bend. We are located in downtown Corpus Christi on the southern Texas coast.

HISTORY
K Space Contemporary originated in 1995 as a cooperative studio for artists known as K Space Art Studios. The name “K Space” refers to the building’s historic roots as the Kress Five & Dime Store built in 1917. K Space has since evolved to include a gallery with a regular program of curated and juried exhibitions.

In 2001, K Space gallery incorporated as a non-profitorganization and was granted 501(c)3 tax-exempt status by the IRS in 2003. K Space reorganized in 2006 and with a newly formed Board of Directors, began plans to expand to a more accessible street level space. With the help of volunteers, the new 2000 square foot gallery opened in October 2007.

K Space Contemporary is the oldest alternative art space in the Coastal Bend region. We exhibit contemporary, experimental, and innovative works by artists primarily from (but not limited to) the South Texas region. K Space also provides a forum for artists whose works may be non-commercial, or difficult to exhibit in traditional spaces due to the use of non-traditional materials and unusual installation or site-specific requirements.

the WIG-OUT party
Join us for the fundraiser of the year!
Saturday, August 23
Click HERE for more info

Figure Drawing every
Wednesday of each month
from 6:00 - 8:30 pm.
[$8.00 / no cameras]

Volunteers needed!

Small, low priced, contemporary
artwork needed for our gift shop.
Contact us for more info.

Website is being updated.

© k space contemporary
site designed by ashleythomas.org

GOALS
1. Provide a venue which exposes the community to contemporary art through exhibitions and gallery talks by exhibiting artists.
2. Provide educational opportunities which increase understanding of contemporary and experimental art and its role of in today’s society.
3. Provide educational programs for youth and for college-level students entering the art world from academia.
4. Provide a forum for emerging and mid-career artists to exhibit innovative, experimental, cutting-edge art forms that may be difficult to exhibit elsewhere.
5. Become a popular and prestigious cultural destination for the city of Corpus Christi which draws tourists and locals, alike, to the downtown area and in turn, contributes to downtown revitalization.

before after

OUR FOUNDERS

--Founders Erick and Raychelle Schaudies dreamed of creating an artist studio cooperative for contemporary artists, something that did not previously exist in Corpus Christi. It would be a place where artists working in non-traditional media, methods and subject matter could meet, share ideas and work along-side each other; a community for artists who wanted to express themselves in new and innovative ways.
--This dream came to fruition when the Schaudies discovered the old Kress building in downtown Corpus Christi as a potential studio space. One important ingredient was finding a property owner who was agreeable to renting to a bunch of crazy artists, and they found that in landlords, Tim and Dottie Clower. K Space Art Studios, named for the Kress building in which it is located, was born in November of 1995.
--The third floor warehouse was crowded with store shelves, mannequins, and other department store fixtures. The Schaudies began recruiting artists and with the help of five charter members, they cleared and divided the 7000 square foot space into 12 studios, a darkroom and common area. What they created is a thriving workspace housing artists of all disciplines, backgrounds, education levels and ages.
--K Space has since become a major part of the Corpus Christi art scene, literally changing and improving the cultural climate of the city. K Space provides artists with a place in which to feel connected to like-minded people and exhibits works of art that might otherwise have no forum.
--The Schaudies managed K Space Art Studios until 1999 when they moved to Elgin, Texas. They passed the reigns on to Michelle Smythe, and K Space has since evolved to include a gallery with a regular schedule of exhibitions and educational programming.
--Sadly, Erick Schaudies, passed away in May 2008 at only 61 years of age. Erick created wonderful sculptures of stone and wood which evoke the female form. He completed an especially beautiful one only days before his death.
--K Space Contemporary exists because of Erick and Raychelle’s spirit, wisdom and tenacity in those early days. We are happy that Erick saw the opening of the new K Space Contemporary gallery and was extremely proud of our progression before his passing. It is with great sorrow that we at K Space say goodbye to our great friend, mentor and confidant.