 Art Space Franklin Arts Center in Brainerd celebrated their 10-year anniversary tonight. The event was free and open to the public and allowed guests to tour artist studios, view their on-site gallery and see live performances. People roam the halls of the Franklin Arts Center Thursday evening exploring the many artist studios that the building holds in celebration of its 10th anniversary. The building used to be a middle school that Art Space Projects Inc converted into artists to live workspace and artist studio space. When the Brainerd School District decided to move their junior high school to a different location they formed a citizens committee to figure out what to do with the Franklin building. Instead of demolishing it they decided to turn it into the Franklin Arts Center. After years of fundraising mostly from our community partners and through our own organization we were able to accomplish 25 artists live work units and thousands of square feet of commercial and studio space for artists. Many different types of artists have their studios and workspaces at the Franklin Arts Center ranging from painters photographers and woodworkers to architecture firms yoga studios and musician spaces. So I have a little studio it's called I call it TR Scott and TR Scott stands for trust and respect that's really what it means and I'm here just to play music to share music. I've actually always wanted to be here it's just that this year there was a spot open and there isn't enough awareness for the arts and so this is a good way for people in the arts community to all be together and to share our arts and our talent. The artists who live and work at the Franklin Arts Center say there is something special about the building that has been a Brainerd landmark since 1932. There's something magic going on in this building I really believe that something spiritual and at least that's what it's about for me I sit here play practice write sing and people come and join me now and again different people come and we sing and play together and share music. Art space's mission is to create faster and preserve affordable and sustainable space for artists and art organizations and with the completion of the Franklin Arts Center 10 years ago they have done just that. Reporting from Brainerd Rachel Johnson Lakeland News. The artists at the Franklin Arts Center are having another show in November that will also be free and open to the public. If you enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Lakeland PBS.