It is a hub for free arts education, a community space, and a place where magic happens.
AnnaDea Chavez, Director of Development at The Norwalk Art Space says, "she'd be amazed to see how far we've come and how many students we've served. We've served over 3,000 kids, which is absolutely incredible and welcomed over 60,000 visitors."
Executive Director Duvian Montoya adds, "she had the inspiration of buying this old, beautiful church, converting it into a gallery space for the community, and offering free studio spaces to emerging artists with the intention of having those same artists teach our free art education to high school kids."
The Norwalk Art Space has a gallery with exhibits changing nearly every 8 weeks, and offers free art and music classes for kids.
Montoya says, "allowing the kids [to] really explore who they are and giving themselves a voice -- and that's been really fun to watch -- to see them explore their own individuality."
Chavez says it's really amazing , "to see young kids cut for the first time, draw, use their brains and different parts in looking at it."
The current exhibition is called "Masc", redefining male masculinity in the Black community.
They serve breakfast and lunch, coffee and baked goods. Most of the ingredients are locally sourced, and all the food is made from scratch.
Chef Caitlin McGowan says, "The café is owned by the art space, so all of the proceeds go back into the space itself and kind of following through with our mission of providing free art and free classes."
The nonprofit Norwalk Art Space and the Art Space Café are open Wednesday thru Sunday, and for special events and art openings.