The Temple of the Cosmic Mothership

Born in 2016, The Temple of the Cosmic Mothership was a project that sought to create a supportive art community through low-cost artist studios in exchange for community service in the Swansborough Neighborhood of Richmond.

A free school, a community garden, and an outdoor venue for local talent were among the projects started by studio artists.

ORANGE DOOR

Orange Door Gallery was located at 12 West Broad Street in the Arts District of Richmond, Virginia. A DIY and artist-run gallery whose primary goal was to put artists' vision first. Partners Grady Smith and Heide Trepanier maintained a punk, skin-of-your-teeth space that stayed open late, was rarely staffed, and exhibited some of the most experimental and controversial work in the region.

Orange Door hosted Group Exhibitions such as "Ramé Panorama" and "Butthurt" curated by Heide and solo shows by Richmond legend Wes Freed as well as artists Pam Anderson-Sutherland, Jack Lawrence, Angry Johnny, VCU Graduate Thesis Exhibitions, and touring anti-war exhibition Faces of Iraq.

If anyone has pictures of Orange Door, please get in touch with Heide @ heidetrep@gmail.com, she was too busy having fun to document the experience.