Where the artists are: Pleasant Plains Workshop

Almost a year ago, I was visiting Kristina Bilonick in her incredibly urban, incredibly charismatic shared studio space in Gold Leaf Studios. When I went to go knock on her door again, it turned out that Kristina had moved out and started her own artist neighborhood business model—a model that seems to be gaining a bit of traction in DC—the live/work gallery storefront. Thus, we deviate from the agenda and go on a little detour.

Almost a year ago, I was visiting Kristina Bilonick in her incredibly urban, incredibly charismatic shared studio space in Gold Leaf Studios. When I went to go knock on her door again, it turned out that Kristina had moved out and started her own artist neighborhood business model—a model that seems to be gaining a bit of traction in DC—the live/work gallery storefront. Thus, we deviate from the agenda and go on a little detour.

It was somewhat bittersweet for Kristina to leave Gold Leaf Studios, a place that had been her organic creative home for almost three years. And yet her new setup has been a dream of hers for years. I knew this because back in February she described this space to me when asked to conjure up her ideal creative space. She said, “Something that I feel would actually be achievable would be creating a double-zoned place that’s commercial and residential, and being able to have studios and a gallery-type thing – or some kind of project space that’s downstairs and then me living upstairs. Sometimes I dream about what I want, and if I could ever buy something like this it would be wonderful. I mean, it would be great even if there was a small-scale version of that.”

Pleasant Plains Workshop is the realization of Kristina’s vision, and it hasn’t even opened yet.

Pleasant Plains Workshop is an art studio, gallery, future-artist center, living residence, show room, installation venue, and handmade boutique located in Pleasant Plains, DC along Georgia Avenue next to Howard University. More visibly, it is a shared studio space with a storefront that features works by its resident artists along with a rotating lineup of works and projects by other DC-based artists and designers. It is home to Kristina Bilonick, a native Washingtonian who uses screen printing, found objects, and other media to create installations, clothing, accessories, and house wares, and Anthony Dihle, a professional designer and concert poster screen printer.

Prior to being an artist space, Pleasant Plains was a sneaker store called “Show Off” and a homeopathic goods store called “A Good Time." It is an elongated shotgun of a space, full of vast colors, with graphic prints and artwork covering both sides of the walls. Along the north wall are Anthony’s floor-to-ceiling concert posters, while the south wall holds Kristina’s various manifestations of color-filled work. Some of her original T-shirts hang on a clothing rack, many sporting buffalo and Michelle Obama prints. On a small ladder, old ties with an added “Bilonick” touch hang loosely. The Complete Printmaker, The Artist’s Resoure, and Draw 50 Famous Stars books lay on the edges of her workspace table.

And yet, she and Anthony just moved in, meaning there is still much work to be done. They are building an industrial sink for their prints, as well as a dark room in a small nook at the back of the studio. All of these art space essentials still sit in their respective boxes, along with a glass kiln that may or may not get unpacked. But neither one of them are worried about completing these aspects before their Sunday opening - they want people to come no matter what the state. They are ready, more than anything, to just let everyone know that they exist.

But what is so original about what they are presenting to DC? It seems that the unique impetus behind Pleasant Plains is its business model of creativity, entrepreneurship, and community engagement. Kristina is saturated with ideas--collaborative ideas, business ideas, revenue generating ideas, artistic ideas--all that begin with the community. She wants to welcome artists, to make it a meeting place of sorts, opening the doors for talks, screenings, and maybe even cooking panels. There is even an opportunity to reach out to the Howard art & fashion students to design the storefront window and showcase their talent. Who knows? Maybe the long-term manifestation may include a youth program or an artist residency or even a collaborative with the recording studio only 2 blocks up the road. To Kristina, the possibilities are abundant. And to the community of Pleasant Plains, the benefits are immediate.

Modeled after Hatch Show Print of Nashville, one of the oldest working letterpress print shops in America, and opening on the heels of FURTHERMORE, Jose Ruiz and Bridget Sue Lambert's new print shop above Civilian Art Projects, Pleasant Plains Workshop is designed to be in and of the city.

With this kind of live/work setup, the positives extend beyond just mere convenience. Yes, there is the ease of transportation, as going up and down the stairs is Kristina's biggest creative commute. But there is also a stronger sense of “beckoning,” as Kristina calls it. Even though her live and workspaces are separated by a set of stairs, there is still that constant awareness that your playhouse is right around the corner.

Another positive outcome of Pleasant Plains is the newfound collaborative relationship between Kristina and Anthony in their screen-printing and inspiration. But the true next step of collaboration exists within the community of Pleasant Plains. Kristina is oozing with excitement over being a part of the neighborhood and adding something to the block that doesn’t exist yet. She explains that it’s almost like Mr. Roger’s neighborhood—everyone is always outside, a man with a bowling hat and bicycle dubbed “The Mayor” rides up and down the block, and everyone is always promoting one another’s businesses. Her goal with Pleasant Plains Workshop is to get people excited about what is already there.

As I sit sharing a beer and listening to the residual brass section of the Howard University marching band practice in the distance, I ponder the significance of such a space and model in DC. Yes, it is a shared studio space, but is it an artist neighborhood when only two share the space? At the same time, Kristina puts it nicely and reflectively when she says that it isn't a negative for someone to have an isolated workspace if they are dedicatedly in touch with their community. That point alone symbolizes the "neighborhood" quality of Pleasant Plains Workshop. Additionally, Kristina's dedication  to keeping outside artists involved--rotating and showcasing all types of DC creative talent--make this an ideal example of how much can be done on the whim of a single individual.

Managed by someone who insists on collaboration and who envisions a grassroots, neighborhood-based arts center, Pleasant Plains Workshop is small enough to make its many future roles a possibility. Our job now is to frequent it, check in on it, keep the dialogue open, and watch its progress. And to think: DC just got a new creative space because of a single craigslist post.

To be there for the very beginning of its lifecycle, stop by the GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION this Sunday, November 21st from 1pm to 4pm.

Pleasant Plains Workshop:
2608 Georgia Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20001