TANNERY STREET
Lights Out has found its new home at 10 Tannery Street, Norway, Maine. Purchased in February of 2022, we immediately began working to renovate and restore the old snowshoe factory, working to build an evolving hotspot of local collaboration and statewide coordination. This new location will soon be home to dozens of small businesses, local organizations, artists, makers, and educators.
The buildings are 13,000 square feet combined and sit on almost a full acre in downtown Norway –this downtown location makes Tannery Street a great hub to support retail and restaurants.
With the generous help of dozens of volunteers and community members, we have cleared out both buildings, made structural repairs, and lifted and reinforced the foundation. These necessary fixes ensure that Lights Out’s new home will serve the community for years to come.
"The former Tubbs Snowshoes factory (above) is a plain-faced wooden structure on a side street in Norway, Maine. Founded in 1906, the Tubbs factory was famous for producing high-quality snowshoes, skis and sleds, even outfitting the famed Robert Peary polar expeditions, leading to Norway being hailed as the 'Snowshoe Capital of the [U.S].'"
– Karen Jelenfy, Creative Maine
There are four zones planned for the factory renovation and restoration, each with its own use.
In the historic factory building, the first floor will be dedicated to shared office and studio space.
A multi-purpose dance studio will take up the second floor.
The newer warehouse building, built in the 1970’s, will become a gallery and event space.
The daylight basement will be dedicated to a community makerspace and tool library.
“[Lights Out Gallery] had the foresight and brilliant idea to buy this building, I really applaud everything about it, and it's very heartwarming to witness its beginning; witness its birth."- Katherine Bradford, Advisory Board
If you would like to get involved or learn more about the project, please contact Daniel Sipe at daniel@lightsoutart.com
