The Train Station

About The Train Station

Our goal is to build community and empower individuals by providing a comfortable space to pursue passions, explore ideas, and connect with each other

Check out our services and calendar to see what that might look like

We strive to practice radical inclusion so that all may feel welcomed in our community space

Click here to read our history

The building was built in 1931 as the mom n' pop grocery store, Heigl's Makert. Over the following decades the building served as a liquor store, pottery shop, and art gallery.

The Train Station truly began in 2013 when a group of artists and activists from around the fox valley began a property hunt for a place they could cultivate community and pursue their passions. Enamored by the culture and freedom present in the underground diy arts community, but dismayed by the short shelf life of the associated radical spaces, the group sought something more permanent, and to bring that organic basement vibe up to the street level.

The group came across a mostly abandoned retail location on story st near downtown Appleton and after meeting with the owner decided to rent the building and see how things developed.

The first year was filled with fun and challenges. Operating under the name CLAW (Center for Liberation and Wellness), the group set to work on getting the space into a functional condition, while hosting various concerts, educational presentations, and art shows along the way.

During that time, organizational challenges and artistic differences caused the group to fall into disharmony. The group began to disband. Levi Besaw, focused on the potential of the space, put a down payment on the property in January of 2015, renaming and founding The Train Station.

During 2015, friends and acquaintances would rotate in and out of the space, working on their projects and curating events while Besaw experimented with different models of operating the space. In fall the 2015, resident and friend Brianna Phillips decided to invest heavily in the space, joining Besaw as a co-founder.

All members of the Train Station community put efforts into making the space open, friendly, and a destination of considerable respite for touring artists and bands from across the country. Things took a difficult turn that winter as Phillips’ health began to fail dramatically from a genetic kidney disorder. As her health worsened, the group tried to focus on health while keeping the space active. Ultimately, Phillips illness became life-threatening and completely debilitating. A hard stop was put on all events while residents turned the space into a low-stress, sterile clinic-like environment stocked with dialysis and nursing equipment. After 9 months of dialysis, constant stress and unrelenting illness, Phillips received the gift of a new start when her brother, Brandon Prink, donated a kidney to her. The physical healing took hardly any time and 1 month later, Phillips and Besaw were on their hands and knees, restoring the hardwood floor in the 2nd story apartments.

With the space inactive and a multitude of problems looming within the property, Phillips and Besaw decided to take this time and new found energy to renovate the Train Station with largely reclaimed materials. Over the next 2 years they replaced the old leaky roof, updated all of the plumbing, remodeled and refreshed the living space, demolished and replaced the water-damaged plaster ceiling in the event space, tore up carpet, installed flooring, patched and replaced drywall and took the time to properly resolve every band-aid solution that had been installed over the decades. Throughout the remodeling process, the founders remained focused on creating a comfortable community space where they could be proud to host all kinds of events. With the remodeling completed to a functional level in late 2018, The Train Station had a soft opening with private concerts scheduled monthly into the new year.

The official reopening took place in march of 2019 with a release show for Besaw and Phillips music project Cave Paintings. The space has since taken on regularly scheduled events including a kids music and art workshop hosted by The Arts Incorporated, Yoga classes by Chrysalis yoga and Fitness, and several concerts each month. The Train Station coordinators are currently open to filling their calendar with anything the community voices a need for.

Services

These are our current services
Think the community could use something else? Contact us
We are open to barter and energy exchanges for all listed donation rates/fees

Event/Meeting Space

Come together

Computer Repair and Resale

Get connected

Web Development

Project your passion

Audio/Video Production

Create your vision

Audio Video Production

Professional, Creative, Positive

Capabilities

Multitrack up to 30 channels of high quality audio
7 tracking rooms with varied acoustics, isolation, and treatment
Tracking, mixing, and mastering
BYO engineer for a reduced fee
Live show multitrack
Array of high definition cameras for multi angle recordings

Live Recording & Studio Rates

We are open to barter and alternate agreements

General studio time - tracking, mixing, master - 25$/hr

Live show room-mic audio recording - 20$

Live show one camera/room-mic unmastered video - $40

Live show rough stereo mix multi-track audio/video recording - $10/channel + 15$/camera

Live show mixed/mastered multitrack audio/video recording - 25$/channel + 20$/camera

Music Videos and Studio Albums are project based.

Workshops/Classes

Share your experience

Workshops & Classes

Learn, Teach, Engage

Every skill is valuable

From finger painting to disaster preparedness, we are here to facilitate a broader skill base for all members of our community

We encourage everyone from any community to take part in the horizontal and autonomous Mutual Aid organization we are connected with. Please fill out this form so that we can better understand and serve the needs of our community

If you are interested in providing a workshop or class please contact us

Current Workshops & Classes

Check out our calendar for up to date scheduling

Kids Art & Music hosted by The Arts Incorporated

Various art and music related activities, check our calendar and Facebook events for more details.

Ages 10-17 welcomed unaccompanied with parental permission. Under 10 will need to be accompanied by a parent or someone over the age of 12 with parental consent.

The A.R.T.S. Incorporated is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that focuses on art and music.

Our mission is to redefine how youth perceive daily obstacles in their lives, emotional challenges, and negativity; instead to use them as a strength and create beauty and positivity.

The A.R.T.S. Incorporated is a nonprofit organization founded by Samantha Messersmith and Karissa Maier. It was created to provide a positive outlet for teens and young adults through art and music.

The organization is based out of the Fox Valley region of Wisconsin and promotes positivity, creativity, wonder, and advancement. The program teaches art and music to the youth to encourage them to find their voice and sense of being in the world.

The A.R.T.S. Incorporated also promotes a community for local and up and coming artists and musicians to show their skills and promote their talents to businesses and people in the area.

Chrysalis Yoga & Fitness with Erica Rae

Class times, style, and tempo vary, check our calendar and Facebook events for more details.

Chrysalis Yoga and Fitness focuses on total wellness, a union of mind body and spirit. A place for you to transform into your greatest potential.

Erica has spent 10 years of her life delving deep into mindful practice. Her areas of personal interest/study include: meditation, Indian philosophy, Taoism, Buddhism, Christianity, divine feminine and masculine, Reiki, Sanskrit, Song/vibration, Aromatherpy, gemstones, Kundalini and Belly Dance.

She is an Artist with an affinity for the Chakras and personal transformation subjects that inspired the birth of Chrysalis. Erica's yoga practice is exactly what brought about the awareness for her transformation to begin. She uses mindful instruction to bring you present with each breath and movement, providing gentle assistance to encourage and empower the practitioner to find there personal edge. Expect to end your practice feeling inspired and empowered! Your life's journey is the most important aspect of your life.

Residency

Focus

Calendar

Confirmed events are green, proposed are red

We strongly encourage cross-polinating different groups in the community, contact the other organizers to combine events!

Propose an event here and it will automatically be added to our potential event calendar!

Local artists and bands! Fill out this form to join our local listing so we can get you on a bill!

All other artists, small business owners or anyone with something to share who would like to setup a display at an event or workshop fill out this form let's put something together!

Look Up To Art

Our event space ceiling is comprised of individual works of art from members of our community, a reminder that every person has value and when we come together, we can create something truly spectacular

Click on individual tiles to see a full photo and learn more about the artist and what they wish to promote

**A note from August, 2019: We hope to have professional photographs and full artist descriptions of all tiles within the next 6 months, check back soon!**

Gallery

Check our gallery from the recent events

F.A.Q

Was The Train Station ever a real train station?

Nope, it's just conveniently located about 30 feet from the tracks. It was originally a mom and pop grocery store.
How is the Train Station organized/funded?

We are currently unincorporated and operate autonomously. The space has been entirely funded by donations from members and sponsors and through the work of countless volunteer hours.
How do I rent the space? What is the room fee?

The room fee ranges from 10-25% if your event generates revenue, depending on how attentive our members will need to be.

Otherwise the rate is 20$/hour or 80$ for the day. Exceptions can be made for causes involving social and environmental justice.

Check out our event space service for more details, propose an event and contact us
How much space is available and with what amenities?

We can provide seating and tables for 35 (plus a dozen more if you include the picnic tables in the yard), there is an accessible drinking fountain and one single-person restroom.
What A/V Equipment is avaiable?

There is a P.A. available for use.
We can mix and record up to 30 channels of high quality audio,
We have a mounted projector and a dedicated computer to use with it.
We have a decent array of high definition cameras.

A/V technicians available depending on scheduling.
Does the Train Station serve foods/drinks?

We do not currently serve food/drinks, you are welcome to bring your own food and non-alcoholic beverages to public events.
Where do we park?

We are located in a residential neighborhood. There is usually plenty of room for street parking within 3 blocks of the property. City ordinance parking laws apply.
Is there an age restriction?

Nope, we are an all-ages space.

Donate

All donations go toward improving the community space and sponsoring community events

Contact Us

We would love to hear from you

Address

302 S Story St, Appleton, Wi, 54914

Phone Number

+1 773-DIYARTS

Email

thetrainstationspace@gmail.com

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About The Train Station