An inside look at 3S Artspace as it readies
for its grand opening
by Jenn Hastings
Though he’s sitting on a couch inside 3S Artspace, Chris Greiner looks like he’s about to go on stage. A little nervous, a little excited, a little tired, a little dumbstruck that it’s finally happening. Five years of love and labor have brought him to this point: 3S Artspace is set to open its doors.
When the nonprofit had its first board meeting in November 2009, it had a vision and not much else. The goal was to create a Portsmouth arts destination that would bring a performance space, contemporary art gallery, and restaurant under one roof. Greiner and his team, together with some generous donors, have spent the last five years making that dream a reality in the city’s North End, giving a former industrial building a $3.2 million makeover and transforming it into a work of art.
photo by John Benford Photography
That work of art will be unveiled to the public for the first time this weekend. Block Six, 3S Artspace’s restaurant, opens on Wednesday, March 18, and the whole venue will make its debut with a series of concerts, dance parties, discussions, and other events beginning on Friday, March 20.
Design in mind
“One of the things we’ve learned is that a venue like this, in a place like this, thrives on its reputation,” Greiner said.
Reputations are built on first impressions, and the first impression 3S makes is one of openness and accessibility.
the lobby inside 3S Artspace
The design of the performance space and the gallery is purposefully stark and minimalist. The gallery’s walls slope from 24 feet to 26 feet, creating a truly dramatic space for experiencing art. The three dining areas that make up Block Six have a similar industrial-chic look, but with splashes of color. The concrete floors, cinderblock walls, and exposed pipes pay homage to the 1951 building’s history as a factory and storage space. The 3S team sought out local craftspeople to contribute a handmade touch to the space as well. Upholstered couches and chairs with a clean, mid-century vibe are sprinkled around the lounge. Near the kitchen, orange bench seats pop against a barn board wall. Backstage in the performance space, the green room, a “Mad Men”–inspired den complete with its own record player, carries on the same vibe — comfortable, intimate, and classic.
Mix and match
“Flexibility is a thread that runs throughout the whole space,” said Greiner. The performance space, gallery, and restaurant are not intended to stand alone. Everything is modular in some way — tables can be moved around depending on what’s going on in the restaurant, and diners can even eat while sitting on the couches.
sound check with Soggy Po' Boys in the 3S performance space
Likewise, the performance space is a blank canvas. With a capacity of 400 people standing or 250 seated, it can be anything artists need it to be. The seats and the stage can be reconfigured or taken out entirely. Huge glass garage doors in the gallery and the restaurant can be opened, blurring the border between the outside and inside. 3S is all about crossing boundaries, both physical and conceptual. Having the three spaces together creates opportunities for interdisciplinary events and collaborations. For example, the gallery talks with Carly Glovinski, 3S’s first featured artist, will be held in the performance space. “Even though the gallery is pretty sizeable, with the way (Glovinski) is installing the work, it wouldn’t allow us to bring 50-100 people in there to talk,” said 3S’s curator, Jaime DeSimone.
Access and innovation
One of the ideas behind 3S, according to Greiner, is to encourage people to linger in the space and try something new — to walk through the gallery after dinner, or stay for a show after a gallery talk. That means accessibility and innovation are key. The menu at Block Six is a good example — it’s creative but affordable, with plenty of small plates for sharing, a full bar, and entrees.
“We consider what we do to be an art form in its own way,” said Block Six executive chef Sam Ostrow, who spent the last few years at Black Trumpet Bistro in Portsmouth and the Black Birch in Kittery, Maine. One of Ostrow’s creations is a pork bun, featuring pork belly glazed with honey, Gruyère, pickles, and radish slaw. “So it’s a slider, basically, but it’s a fatty, cheesy, crunchy slider,” he said.
the bar in Block Six restaurant at 3S Artspace
Admission to the gallery is always free. The gallery’s non-commercial status encourages a degree of creativity and risk-taking that is rare at other area galleries, according to DeSimone. “We’re an incubator of ideas. We don’t have to worry about selling the work,” she said.
That spirit of experimentation is evident in the performance space as well. Dan Hirsch, who books national and international acts for 3S, is especially excited to put together a program of unique shows. “If we knew exactly what was going to happen, it wouldn’t be 3S. It would be a commercial enterprise, where it’s designed to be as safe as possible,” Hirsch said. For example, on May 2, 3S will present Mauritanian artist Noura Mint Seymali and Javelin, an electronic music duo from New England. Since so many bands bring their own openers as part of pre-packaged tours, this kind of bill wouldn’t be feasible for most for-profit venues.
Local roots
“One of the things that’s always been central to our vision is creating a space where we’re able to present national and international artists, and also present great work that’s being produced by artists from this region,” said Greiner. That balance is reflected in the opening-weekend events: Along with two nationally-touring acts, there’s also a big album release party for Portsmouth band Alcoa, as well as several open houses and a panel discussion about art on the Seacoast.
work by Dover artist Carly Glivinski in the 3S Gallery
Greiner said 3S will partner with other community groups to co-present cultural events, and already, the venue has a full plate of programming. The first events include Portsmouth Short Film Night on March 24, PechaKucha Night on March 26, and an RPM Challenge listening party on March 28.
Looking ahead
Greiner and the rest of the 3S staff and volunteers will be celebrating the venue’s opening this weekend, but they aren’t taking a break. They’re already looking ahead to the second phase of construction, which includes finishing the second-floor artist studios. Once the snow melts, 3S will add a patio with a waterfron