Art District Event Center prioritizes creative opportunities and events

Nov. 7, 2024

Photo by sarah richer on Unsplash, cropped

Located in Colorado Springs, the Art District Event Center is establishing itself as an inclusive community event space and source of support for local creatives.

ADEC is primarily a bookable event venue, where community members can put their event ideas and creative visions into action. The space has been used for everything from concerts to weddings and birthday celebrations.

Jerel Anderson, the owner of ADEC, said what sets the venue apart is that it accommodates its customers’ aesthetics and event needs, giving them creative freedom where other venues might not.

“We like to let artists fully create the space how they would want to, so then that way it gives them more of a voice versus just having to pick the regular old place,” he said.

Anderson said customers can book additional services through ADEC to help them put their events together. ADEC’s services include event planning, decorating, external booking assistance, 3D printing for party favors, photography and videography.

“We basically need to try our best to be a one-stop shop when it comes to marketing for people who have an idea for this space," Anderson said.

ADEC also hosts events focused on building community. One of Anderson’s goals is to make the venue a safe “YMCA-type setting” where people of all ages can take part in creative activities.

Recently, the venue hosted a Paint & Stim event, a paint and sip gathering their website described as “A Sensory Event for the Neurospicy.” ADEC and Anderson, who has Autism, created a secure and comfortable environment for the event’s attendees based on personal experiences.

“I like going to places, but I also don't like going to places that are overly crowded. So, our Paint & Stim is for those who want the stimulation but not overstimulation, and we make it a little bit more intimate but a similar experience,” Anderson said.

Anderson has been a traveling tattoo artist for 15 years; he bought ADEC intending to make the building a tattoo shop, but his experience organizing events and requests to rent the space changed that.

“I've had a couple of tattoo shops here, but I always figured just having just a tattoo shop was never enough for me. I've been hosting events for the last 20 years in different states, including Colorado. So, when I had the opportunity to have a space big enough to host my own, I just said, 'Why not?'" Anderson said.

Anderson’s experience in the creative industry has motivated him to make ADEC more than a community event venue; they offer resources for professional artists seeking financial assistance, career opportunities and a platform.

Anderson values arts education and hopes ADEC’s learning resources will help artists build a financially stable career. One of ADEC’s upcoming sip-and-paint-style events, which is fully booked, was created to teach the fundamentals of tattooing to anyone who wants to learn how or try out equipment.

“[There are] so many people who want to be tattoo artists, and I feel like they just jump into it without any true knowledge or understanding and things like that. Which is why this particular event is so important to me because it gives them the opportunity to understand and really be educated on what tattooing is before just jumping [in] and buying a machine," he said.

Additionally, ADEC offers ways for artists to showcase their work. The space is also an interactive art gallery, which is free to view both in-person and through a virtual reality component that Anderson is creating for the venue’s website.

Anderson said local artists can use the contact information listed on the ADEC website if they are interested in having their art added to the gallery, noting that they prioritize showcasing driven and talented artists.

“Our criteria is just based on, honestly, just talent, culture and determination. If they really, truly have a drive to be an artist and they really, truly want to see their work out there, then that motivation is enough for us to really do our best to get them out there. Especially if we can see the quality in their work and know that they've really been trying hard," Anderson said.

Anderson added that local artists can also contact ADEC using the same information if they want to set up an art show in the venue, emphasizing that they can assist with those processes and want to help however they can.

“We're a helping hand. We want to really, truly be able to show the artists that they don't have to do it by themselves,” he said.

Those interested can view and book ADEC’s services, explore the virtual gallery and register for events through their website. Some information and announcements can also be found on ADEC’s Instagram page.