Bring Your Own Creativity to BYO Studio Lounge

BYO: The familiar acronym stands for “bring your own,” and when Ken and Kerry Yandell opened BYO Studio Lounge last June, they invited the city to bring its own creativity. Specifically, this venue invites inquisitive, productive minds to use their artistic talents for celebrations, classes, events, exhibitions, meetings, performances or workshops at the Bay View studio.

The innovative concept grew from the Yandells’ purchase of a 108-year-old building at 2246 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., home to the city’s first cinema, named the Comique, and one-time host of Charlie Chaplin. After the couple acquired the Bay View landmark, with original Cream City brick walls still intact, Kerry Yandell used her architectural expertise to renovate the inside. Kerry earned a master’s degree in architecture from UW-Milwaukee. This structural rehabilitation ignited Kerry’s own passion for landscape painting, and her oils are now mounted on movable art walls she designed for the space.

Whether displaying handcrafted lamps from Egypt, a recycled bar and metal table from a machine shop, or comfortable secondhand furniture, the gallery exudes a feeling of flexibility, friendliness and warmth. This welcoming atmosphere is home to a variety of events and exhibits. Any artist may rent the gallery, complete with an opening reception. Kerry says this opportunity “offers the actual experience of a gallery showing and allows [artists] to do it on their own, to see how the public responds to their art.” BYO Studio Lounge is currently presenting the exhibition “15 Torsos” by Adrienne Pierluissi.

On the second Wednesday of each month, a figure-drawing session ($20 for a two-and-a-half-hour session) provides a live model for those who wish to improve their technique. The lounge’s most recent venture, Salsa Sundays, offers dancing with free lessons taught by a master merengue instructor from 7:30-8:30 p.m. Afterward, the floor stays open for practice until the bar closes.

On Thursdays and Fridays, from 5-8 p.m., the gallery and bar features “Art of the Cocktail Happy Hour” with Ken Yandell’s seasonal drinks. For spring, Ken has created drinks named Notte di Luna, Manhattan Project and Scottish Rose. The lounge only provides beverages, but people can arrange for food at certain events.

Kerry explains that the venue was “created for creatives” as a way to further enhance Bay View’s artistic renaissance. BYO’s studio is open Thursday through Sunday, from 1-5 p.m. The lounge is open from 5 p.m. to close, also Thursday through Sunday.

In keeping with the spirit of “bring your own,” the Racine Art Museum (RAM) is extending a call to artists to create marshmallow Peeps-inspired artwork for the first “International Peep Competition.” Drop off any entry using the pastel confection with a brief description, contact e-mail and title no later than 5 p.m., Friday, March 26, to enter for a chance to win prizes. People of any age may apply to this art competition featuring the iconic candy. Works will be exhibited at the RAM during the first weeks of April.