LH Press Library
Arts Find Home in Burger Shack
Investors say plans for fully leased center will start moving along very soon
Lake Highlands People, by Bob Pittman
July 15, 2005
A funky commercial reincarnation is transforming a building that once crankcd out hamburgers and fries into a source of food for the soul.
Art classes for children and adults will top the menu in September, when Studio Arts opens in a 1960s-era structure that originally housed a Whataburger restaurant at 10051 Shoreview in Lake Highlands.
“The site is just perfect for us,” said Barley Vogel, new owner of the building. “We’ll have outdoor studio space, space for Raku [ceramics]kilns, and a sculpture garden. It’s great because it’s right between the [Knights of Columbus] pool and the skating rink. It’s becoming an entertainment area for kids.”
Ms. Vogel has been owner and director of Lakewood Arts Academy at 1911 Abrams Parkway since 1999. She said the academy is picking up and moving to its new location — with just a name change and a few other additions to classes and services.
The Shoreview building retains the shape of Whataburger’s familiar A- frame structure. In recent years, when it housed other businesses, including a church, the broad clerestory windows of the original dining area were covered with siding. As renovation continues, the glassed-in area has re-emerged, showing promise as a studio space because of its encompassing natural light.
“People either totally get the cool factor of the old building or they don’t,” Ms. Vogel said of the structure with its iconic orange and white stripes. “Some people immediately say, ‘what a perfect use for the building.’ Others say ‘why would you want to open a studio in that?”
Working in an arts-related profession is a natural for Ms. Vogel, who grew up in Dallas and lives in Junius Heights. Her father opened Valley House Gallery about 50 years ago. Her brother runs the gallery on Spring Valley Road.
Ms. Vogel earned a degree in art history from the University of North Texas and continued her studies at Christie’s Fine Arts in London, working in a number of galleries throughout Europe. She joined Lakewood Arts as a teacher in 1992 and is both a painter and a sculptor. She has taught for Young Audiences, Artreach, and other programs in area schools.
She’d been looking to purchase a property in Lakewood for a number of years.
“They have supported us so beautifully that the thought of leaving was just terrible,” she said.
However, after three contracts to purchase properties fell through, she decided to broaden her search. She initially went to Lake Highlands to see an office building for rent, but it didn’t fit her needs. While visiting that site, she noticed the old Whataburger building was for sale.
While it’s challenging to purchase commercial property, she said “the stars lined up” to make the project possible. Fellow students in a class she was taking proved to have the professional skills she needed to swing the deal. The students included a real estate lawyer, a banker, and an architect.
The same staff, including 18 instructors, will work at the new location.
“We’ll be adding more adult classes in Lake Highlands, and there will be more ‘mom and me’ type classes, where moms or dads can take classes in different areas — at the same time their kids are in class. I know we’ll have a young crowd in Lake Highlands and are looking forward to working with lots of young kids as well as teenagers.”
She said Studio Arts will keep art accessible and enjoy able for all age groups.
“Even for the very young, for 4- and 5-year-olds, we don’t dumb anything down. Our goal is always to keep students safe for their spirits ... to be safe and hold creativity as they grow A lot of people get shut down. We’re very adamant about people not being shut down.”
Reprinted with permission of Lake Highlands People
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