In 2012 I came to Cottage Street Studios looking for a workspace to pursue my dream of being an artist. Rich, the building manager, showed me available spaces, none of which were a match. But on the elevator another artist happened to share that she’d be leaving, so we looked at hers.

Studio 403 was love at first sight and worth the wait. At first, I shared the studio and continued operating my communications business, then slowly transitioned to full-time art and occupied the entire space.

Well before moving into my studio, I was invested in the Cottage Street Studios community. While running Radwell Communication by Design, I was involved in the formation of Easthampton City Arts as a consultant initially and then designer (the visual branding is still in use today). And several years later, I worked on rebranding Cottage Street Studios.

My tenure at Cottage Street has been nothing less than life-changing, a personal dream come true. Not only the space itself, or the shared passion for creative activity, but the sense of community, being part of something larger than oneself. I have welcomed and appreciated the understanding, mutual respect and collaboration between the (artist) tenants, Riverside Industries and their clients. It has been an inspirational experience.

Life is a mystery and one does not always end up where one might have imagined. I belong at Cottage Street — it would be beyond difficult to sever roots, relocate, readjust, rebuild ties, rethink this huge part of my life.

Laura Radwell

Studio 403, One Cottage Street, Easthampton