 Uptown Music Collective – Site B at the Pajama FactoryThe Uptown Music Collective was founded 9 years ago by musician and educator Dave Brumbaugh, to help fill the void between traditional music education and the needs of young people wishing to learn and perform modern styles of music. Site B, at the Pajama Factory, provides the collective with a professional performance venue as well as an arts-based youth center for area teens. It features weekly performances by local, regional and national musical acts that appeal to the 13–18 year old age group of the greater Williamsport area. |
Friends, The big tree in the courtyard – a Japanese weeping cherry – is finally in bloom, so signs are clear that Spring has officially arrived at the Pajama Factory! The building is coming to life as the weather warms up. With more tenants than ever, it's exciting to feel the energy of spring fever within our community as folks start spending more time out in the courtyard. In our own bit of spring fever we designed our new logo. Thanks go to Nichole Fowler, a well-known graphic designer who helped us out with this. We've already overhauled the look of our newsletter and in the future, we will be adapting our new look into all our marketing materials. Next up is our website so please stop by pajamafactory.net in the near future to check out our progress. – Mark and Susie Winkelman |
Tenant Activities
Tenants have been enjoying the monthly community BBQs. The grill fires up the last Friday of each month throughout the summer. With a keg of beer and an occasional impromptu band, it's been a great way for building folks to meet each other, especially with so many new faces.
Among our newest tenants are a gemologist, a writer, a wood turner (who had a well-attended open studio a few weeks ago), a photographer, a masseuse, three painters, a specialty sewing company entrepreneur and a film maker.
Calling all Artists!
In partnership with the Public Art Academy we are offering an artist-in-residence program this summer. We will provide free housing and free shared work space (2,500 square feet) to six artists for June and July. The apartments are in historic downtown Williamsport near the Pajama Factory. All we will ask in return is for 16 hours per week of volunteer work for the Pajama Factory (painting, yard work, office work, etc.). If you are interested in the artist-in-residence program please call 917.903.4342 (Mark) or send an email to air2009@pajamafactory.net for additional information.
Studio Update
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With the new work spaces nearly all rented (we have just one large space of 2,620 net sq. ft. available for $1,327/ month including heat and elec. utilities) and a growing waiting list of interested tenants, we are starting construction on the next 16,000 square feet of studios (15-20 spaces).
The process of cleaning out all of the unused wiring, conduit, and piping that has built up over nearly 100 years of changing manufacturing uses in the complex is a necessary first step before we begin construction. This next round of work spaces and studios should be completed and ready for occupancy by late summer.
Additionally, we are trying to spread the word that we have spaces to rent for special events/meetings, etc. In fact, the Lycoming County Chamber of Commerce hosted a Pennsylvania Wilds meeting at the building this week. This organization promotes commerce in the millions of acres of state lands that surround Williamsport in northern Pennsylvania.
The Pajama Czar has arrived
Our new building manager, Marshall Harris, is finally on site. He has moved from Boston and his official first day was May 18th. Marshall will settle in for a few weeks and then spend the summer commuting to Philadelphia, to attend classes at the University of the Arts, before moving back permanently in the Fall (our February newsletter profiled Marshall in greater detail).
Save the Date
The first ever Williamsport Arts and Wine Festival will be hosted at the Pajama Factory this August 8th. It is a celebration of the city's vibrant arts scene and the regions' growing wine industry.
The festival will feature seven different wineries (including Eagle Rock Winery who is sponsoring the event and has a great place here at the factory), artists, musicians and a wide range of local products and services – all at the Pajama Factory! Make your reservations now (try the Genetti Hotel or the Peter Herdic House Inn – two of our favorites).
We look forward to having you visit the building this summer. Please continue to spread the word to your family and friends about our exciting project.
– Mark and Susie Winkelman