FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Dozens of artists at a local art studio in Fresno were given just three days to pack up their belongings and leave their workspace by the end of June 17.
Since the early 1990s, artists have called the Chris Sorensen Studio home. Now, that space is mostly empty, and the current owners say they are still trying to fight for the space.
“This is such a shock, who knew it was coming,” local artist James Comegys said.
On June 14, artists renting space at the Chris Sorensen Studio were told they had three days to pack up their artworks and move out.
“They’re very sad that they are losing their home. This is their home to them,” local artist Lynn Hock Napoli said.
Chris Sorensen’s son, John Sorenson, says that prior to his father passing away in March of this year, the studio’s management changed.
“His ability to manage it was sliding, so we tried to make modifications. We created a limited liability corporation, a board of directors. Nothing that we did worked very well,” John Sorensen said.
Chris Sorensen chose business owner Debra Cooper to run the studio, but issues began sprouting her way.
“I’ll get it into shape, I’ll gift it over to the Fresno art council or the city or the artists, but problem after problem after problem. The rent was doubled from when Chris paid,” Chris Sorensen Studio owner Debra Cooper said.
The Caglia family owns the building where Chris Sorensen’s studio is located. They sent a statement regarding the closure of the art studio.
We would love to see the Chris Sorensen Art Studio continue but until such time that a viable entity comes together for the management of the gallery, unfortunately, this is the status.
The Caglia Family.
“Everyone knows me as the new owner. But John Sorensen didn’t sign the contract. I asked him for the last year and a half, two years that I need that contract,” Cooper said.
Cooper says she believes someone wanted to put an end to the art studio, and that played a role in some artists not paying their dues.
“That $14,000 that it said on the door that we owe or we’re going to get evicted, I was working with Ryan Caglia. I was pleading with John Sorensen. I was pleading with him. I don’t know why the artists aren’t paying. I don’t know what else to think other than John Sorensen wanted it to just stop,” Cooper claimed.
Despite this, Sorensen says he doesn’t believe there is a “bad guy” in this situation.
“Debra tried real hard to make it go of it. I think she means well. The Caglia family has been good to Fresno. They’ve been good to my father,” Sorensen said.
Cooper also says that legally, artists still have two weeks to collect their belongings.
