Art Maze transforms vacant downtown building

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For the last month, a downtown office building has been getting a renovation that is anything but conventional.

Zachary DeBoer, owner and director of Exposure Gallery and Studios, had the idea for Art Maze when he heard the DM&E building at the corner of Eighth Street and Phillips Avenue was going to be gutted by its new owners.

DeBoer got permission from Legacy Development and Endeavor Properties to bring about 50 artists into the space to display their existing work and create entirely new pieces using the materials left in the old office space.

“It’s a rare opportunity,” says Cameron Stalheim, a local sculptor and one of the Art Maze contributors. “It is a group of artists who are coming together to transform a building. That really does not happen often.”

The artists have had just over a month to prepare the four-story exhibit, which will feature live music and a chance to talk with artists about their pieces. Free to the public, Art Maze is open Jan. 8 and 9 from 5 to 11 p.m.

“It’ll be those two nights only before it’s completely torn out and gutted,” DeBoer says.

He hopes the immediacy of the event will motivate people to see the show while they have a chance and to embrace the city’s growing art scene.

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