ISSB sells today, leaves creative legacy

The Huff Bakery or White Way Dairy building on the corner of West Adam and North Division streets has been covered in art on the outside for years. Now it will house art on the inside as well.

Iowa State Savings Bank and principal shareholders Karl and Jan Knock have gifted the building and $50,000 toward renovations to Creston:Arts, a local non-profit whose mission over the past 40 years has been “to assist all the phases of art in the Creston area,” according to Brian Zachary of Creston:Arts.

The holding company that currently owns ISSB and the White Way Dairy building is selling the bank to Ames National Corporation effective today.

“In our time we have supported Creston area community efforts that make things better for all area residents,” said Karl Knock. “We believe we owed that to the community for its support and business. This is one last time we can use the privileged position we and the other outgoing shareholders have had through the banking business in the Creston area.”

Jan Knock added, “Quality of life is a determining factor for many in choosing where to live and raise a family. The arts provide a venue for people to recreate and renew themselves, and consequently, make the community life richer for all.”

Zachary said he was told the owners of the building had to make a choice between selling it, renovating it or destroying it. He said it is part of only 40% of buildings that were here that are left in town and it is part of the historic fabric of Creston. Zachary said Karl Knock approached Creston:Arts with the offer knowing that members were looking for a building that would suit their needs and that some members of the group had a particular interest in the historic aspect as well. Zachary holds a master’s degree in historic preservation.

“The historic fabric is extremely important,” Zachary said. “You have to tear it down only if there is no other recourse.”

Tearing the building down would also have destroyed one of the most visible murals in Uptown Creston. The continued partnership with Creston:Arts, the high school arts department and the town is one of the purposes the new arts center will house.

Zachary said Creston:Arts will be able to consolidate all of the art supplies it owns which are currently scattered across town in places such as the Creston Restored Depot, Create Creston, and individual’s homes when it makes the building its headquarters.

A permanent space for Creston:Arts would also allow them to create new programs and expand current ones. The summer art camp could have longer days and possibly more weeks. Low cost art classes could be offered to the community. Zachary said they would also like to see some computer classes, both entry level classes for those who do not know how to use a computer and more advanced ones such as Photoshop. Ideally, he said, these classes would be available across age ranges, from preschool age art classes to teen internships and classes designed for older residents.

“Another thing we want to do with intention is to use art to bridge social gaps and gaps between ... various parts of our community ... and age groups as well,” Zachary said.

Renovation

Much renovation will be needed before the building can be used. Zachary said the design will incorporate the historic significance of the building and the needs of the community while making sure the building is accessible to those with disabilities.

“We will hold a series of meetings to find out what the needs of the community are from an art center, then begin design of a sensitive historic-preservation rehabilitation for the building, including ADA compliance,” Zachary said. “With designs in hand, we will work with local construction professionals to determine a realistic budget for a construction plan that may be split into phases.”

“If funding does not go as we want, we will do it in phases,” he added. “We’ll do the downstairs as fast as we can to occupy the building and start programming.”

The construction phases will begin at the first floor of the building and make their way up. The current plan for the ground floor is a welcome desk, classroom space and storage space. Zachary said there is a room with metal doors that will be used to house kilns for drying pottery.

“There’s tons of people waiting with supplies, with kilns, with stuff to donate,” he said. “So we’ll have some of that and some new equipment.”

Upstairs, the group hopes to provide a gallery area and performance space. One goal for the art center is to resurrect open mic night. Zachary said the proposed gallery will not replace the one currently housed at the Creston Restored Depot.

“We want to build on that,” Zachary said. “I’m not looking to decrease gallery space.”

He also spoke of the prevalence of second floor art spaces in Los Angeles.

“In L.A. it’s a thing, going to galleries on the second floor, looking down on the street,” Zachary said. “It’s really interesting to change your perspective.”

Eventually Creston:Arts would like to continue the renovation up to the roof. Zachary called it the “shoot the moon” phase to be done if fundraising efforts are as fruitful as they hope.

The rooftop would become a deck where residents can gather to watch parades or fireworks and hold fundraisers. Zachary said the Iowa Economic Development Authority is very interested in promoting “green” roof spaces in rural environments and might be a source of some grant funding.

“The Huff Bakery building is in a high impact location on one of the main entrances to Uptown,” Zachary said. “We look forward to moving into the heart of Creston and pledge to redouble our efforts to use the arts to raise the quality of living for all people in the Creston area. We are eternally grateful to Iowa State Savings Bank and Jan and Karl Knock for this opportunity and their support and belief in the transformative and healing power of the arts.”