Hello Everyone! Thank you for your interest in our GoFundMe!

For those of you unfamiliar with what is happening right now: The Space 109 is a small gallery for the arts located in downtown Cedar Falls, Iowa. The gallery has always been free for artists to use, in whatever way they could dream up. The gallery has hosted art shows, wedding celebrations, concerts, pop up art festivals and more. John passed away mid January of this year, and the building is in need of repair. Since the early 70’s John Jacobs welcomed the community into his building, where so many found a sense of belonging. Now it is time for the community to come together and offer back the life saving measures so many found within its walls. Before John passed, he left the building to The Space 109’s lead volunteer Kendalle Alquwaie. They have been working hard to formulate a plan to renovate the building to maximize its potential. The building needs a new roof, new stairs, new heat, the upstairs needs a total renovation, but there’s so much potential. In the renovation plans Kendalle has the idea of keeping the street level art gallery, that is 100% free for artists to display with 100% sales directly to the artist. The up stairs will be transformed to hold a fully stocked art studio where the community members can come enjoy their day while discovering new passions. This will have supplies from child to professional level, kits for rent, and equipment for reservation. Getting started in art can be expensive, not everyone can afford a full set of professional supplies to be able to really develop their talents, The Space 109 wants to ensure that learning the arts remains affordable. There will be space and time for multiple uses, from classes to play dates, we will have options for you.

Once artists learn the crafts, getting their work in front of buyers is often a challenge artists can’t overcome. Not only is it extremely expensive to start, but it can really affect your nerves as well. Every artist at every art festival starts their day with expenses from their inventory to their booth fee, they are there in hopes that they will be able to sell enough to make a profit, and every artist breathes a sigh of relief on the sale that crosses them from negative to a net zero, only after this sale are they making income for the day. We want to lower this dilemma artists face by having low cost art booth rentals, and hosting booths for artists to display at well attended art festivals at no cost to them. We have big dreams for what The Space could be, but we really do need your help. Any little bit helps, and together we really can make this happen. -The Space 109 Team A note from Kendalle Alquwaie Thank you everyone for taking the time to read this, donating if you can, and all the amazing volunteers for signing up to volunteer their time and man power. We love you so much. This is such a great community. When I found out I was going to be inheriting the building it has been easy to get overwhelmed by everything that needs to be done. Over the last few weeks my mindset has shifted from being overwhelmed by the amount of work I am facing to being overwhelmed with gratitude for each and every member of our community. The support I have received from everyone has been nothing short of amazing. The support we have from the Mayor, Danny Laudick, and City Council has been great, and very encouraging. We have the plan, now we need the funding. Please if you can consider donating to our cause.