Wyoming Tribune Eagle's Article About Lowe's Project

By Becky Orr

borr@wyomingnews.com

Last modified: Sunday, May 13, 2012 9:48 PM MDT Lowe's helps Artists Guild restore their building Corey Bitler scrapes old paint and adhesive from the shingled exterior of the carriage house Saturday at Holliday Park. Bitler and other Lowe's employees are volunteering materials and man power to refinish the more than 100 year old building that now houses the Cheyenne Artists Guild. Dominic Benintende/staff Corey Bitler scrapes old paint and adhesive from the shingled exterior of the carriage house Saturday at Holliday Park. Bitler and other Lowe's employees are volunteering materials and man power to refinish the more than 100 year old building that now houses the Cheyenne Artists Guild. Dominic Benintende/staff CHEYENNE -- What's happening to the white building inside Holliday Park shows what volunteers can do. Known as the carriage house, the building is the longtime home of the Cheyenne Artists Guild. It started out in the 1880s as an opulent stable and a garage for top-of-the-line carriages. The building complemented an extravagant home. Rancher and businessman R.S. Van Tassell owned it during Cheyenne’s glory days, likely in the 1880s. His mansion was torn down years ago. But the carriage house remains as a reminder of Cheyenne’s past. Employees at Lowe’s Home Improvement of Cheyenne are giving the carriage house a much-needed makeover. The company is donating the supplies and materials needed for the project. “It has been fun,” volunteer Sonya Reachard said of the work. She heads human resources at the Cheyenne facility on Prairie Avenue. The scope of the project has expanded from an initial paint job. Volunteers are tearing up the carpet inside. They will also paint the inside walls and put down new floors, and they have done some carpentry work and caulking. Reachard and Lowe’s employee Cameon Ravenscroft have donated many hours to the project. They said they wanted to do something to help the guild since many of its members are too old to do much of the renovation. Both said they like its history, too. The building houses the oldest art gallery in Wyoming, said Dee James, the guild’s president. It leases the building from the city of Cheyenne for $1 a year, but it is responsible for maintenance. James found that the paint alone would cost between $18,000 and $22,000. “We’re a nonprofit. We don’t have the money,” she said. But Reachard heard about the guild’s need. Volunteers started the renovation in April and expect to be done in mid-June, she said. They help anytime they can. Reachard and Ravenscroft have been there most every day. The project also got some help from Girl Scouts from Troops 1069 and 1257. They scraped off the old paint. Reachard said she wants to help with a project that benefits the place she lives. “The history is so fascinating; to restore it is really rewarding,” she said. Original stalls for horses remain in the stable part of the house. Its wooden columns are elegantly styled. Teeth marks remain on the wood, too, left by horses from long ago. Artist guild members provide volunteers with food to show their appreciation. Lowe’s employees say that isn’t necessary. Said James, “We thank the good Lord that they’re offering to do this for us. They’re very good to the community.” At a glance Employees from Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse of Cheyenne are donating their time to paint and restore the Cheyenne Artists Guild building at Holliday Park. Lowe’s is donating the paint and all other materials. The guild meets at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of the month at the building. It has art shows, workshops and programs. A single membership costs $35 a year or $50 for a family. The group also provides a scholarship. For more information, call 632-2263. RAO For more of this story, click on or type the URL below: http://wyomingnews.com/articles/2012/05/14/news/01top_05-14-12.txt