The Case for Space

If you had to choose, which would you pick: teaching an entire class of T. Rexes how to paint (reminder about the big heads and little arms) or participate in a figure drawing class of Lady Gaga in her meat suit, but you’re blindfolded, so you have to rely on touch and smell? For Sara Jones, Director of SPACE Art Collective, there is no choice. “T-Rex art class. Easy. Literally the same as teaching art to Kindergarteners, which I do on the regular.” Maybe one day T. Rex art classes will be a possibility, but for now at least we know the love of art and support of artists isn’t extinct in Polk County. Especially through Jones’ efforts to highlight and support marginalized art and artists through her collective. Sara says, “Art is important to this community because it’s one of our last hopes for civil communication between people. Art serves as a vessel for discourse when words aren’t able to do the job correctly.” As someone who has been deeply immersed in art and had my views of the world thoroughly expanded through exposure to the arts outside of what I practice, I know firsthand how impactful access to the arts can be. Sara said it best with, “We are teeming with artists who are itching to find each other, like magnets suspended on the opposite sides of a barrier. I have been uplifted and challenged by so many artists here.”

We know that there is a deeply rooted love of art in Polk County, reflected in our amazing museums, schools, festivals, and showcases. However, as with many things, access to resources and opportunities for everyone is not always guaranteed. Enter SPACE (Sanctuary for Polk’s Arts, Culture, and Education) Art Collective! Jones came up with the idea behind SPACE after realizing, that what Polk County artists really need is advocacy. “We need people to hold space for nontraditional art, for art that’s normally denied from art shows for being too ‘risky,’ and for art that represents marginalized creatives.”

SPACE also wants to take some of the dependence off the formalized gallery spaces for artists to showcase their work by leveraging community through partnerships with local businesses and venues. With the closure of ART/ ifact Studios last year, Jones was inspired to create SPACE in a more pop-up format, which allows for artists and creatives in the Polk County community to take up more space. Currently, SPACE has been organizing art swaps, showcases, and meetings to bring the art community together, while also blasting various other showcases and events through their social media presence. Jones has some exciting plans in store, including a large art festival in early 2026, called SPACE Invasion, that will serve to hold space for artists in Polk County, and maybe beyond. Live music, performance art, short films, and installations are a major part of the plan. “We’re hoping to partner with the Depot, a new gallery and artist residency in Lakeland, to make this dream come true.”

Visual artists aren’t the only ones being represented and uplifted, either. Sara shared that she hopes to foster a space for ALL types of art and artists in a way that is respectful and courteous. “This can be a sticky thing to navigate, because opinions and feelings still matter when you promote certain types of art. But if SPACE can exist as a meeting point for artists and patrons of all backgrounds, we can begin to build better bridges in our communities. Bridges that encourage us to talk to each other through our art. You don’t have to like or agree with everyone’s work, ideologies, or experiences, but everyone deserves a chance to bring their discussions to the table” says Jones. She speaks from experience as someone who hasn’t always had a seat at the table, between her own personal history with being rejected from art school and being told she couldn’t do any art in past close relationships to becoming one of the preeminent Polk County visual artists, being published in magazines, and being voted Lakeland’s Best Visual artist for the last two years in LKLD’s “Best Of” issues. “I’ve never been good with words, and art gave me a way to express my feelings, opinions, and experiences without having to ‘say’ anything,” though post this interview, I may need to let Jones know she’s no slouch with words either.

The future of SPACE is full of possibility and sparkle, and Jones has high aspirations for what the next 5-10 years could hold for the group. “The GRAND scheme of SPACE is to eventually open an arts center. How? I don’t know yet. I’m hoping that as SPACE grows and welcomes more members, I will meet people with the knowledge and skills to help and teach me how to do this properly.” She’s hoping to have multiple working artists in residence, classes for the professional side of artistic growth (i.e. how to market yourself, how to get into markets, art classes for all levels of artists, how to host your own shows, etc.), rental spaces for arts therapy or mental health resources in the form of artistic expression, a gallery/staging areas for art shows or performances, a cafe for people to relax, socialize, and feed their bodies when they remember to take a break and eat, and grants for artists to be able to grow professionally without backing it all themselves.

Make sure to follow SPACE on social media platforms to keep up to date with all of the exciting events happening in the county. Maybe you’ll discover a new passion or a new artist you can’t live without. You’ll get to see more of the wonderful life our local artists bring to the community and help make Polk County such a wonderful place to live. Or, if you’d like to give more than a bump to their social media numbers, there are a few other things SPACE is currently looking for to help broaden their reach and expand what they can offer to our local artists. Jones told me they are always looking for volunteers to help with their events and give ideas for future pop-ups. You can find SPACE pop-ups at some of your favorite local businesses and venues such as, Florida Southern’s Melvin Gallery, Quinteassence Kava Bar or Hillcrest Coffee Shop, however they are always looking for other small businesses and spaces to host events, or exhibit artwork.

If you have a space and are looking to make it even more amazing with local art, email SPACE Art Collective through their link on Instagram or Facebook. Jones says, “It’s expensive to rent out a venue, but a small business that wants to bring in more people is MUCH more ideal and mutually beneficial. We’d love to find more business owners who would be happy to let us throw an art show, host a concert, or support a figure study night.” Additionally, if you have the means to donate, SPACE is actively fundraising for a PA system to support musicians, poets, and other vocal artists, funds for continuous event insurance, and eventual nonprofit registration fees. Don’t SPACE out and forget to follow this amazing group.

SPACE ART COLLECTIVE

IG @space.artcollective

FB: SPACE Art Collective