Beatnik Studios is a Sacramento venue and gallery that began at 2421 17th Street, on 17th between Broadway and X Street.[1] In late 2013 it relocated to a new home at 723 S Street (between 7th and 8th Streets), a building the founders purchased.[2] It is described as an urban loft-style space made of brick that brings photography, music and local artistry together in a shared setting, and through the early 2010s it functioned as a frequent host of album release parties and art exhibitions for the local scene.[1] According to Sacramento365, Beatnik Studios described itself as "a trendy, unconventional photography studio/gallery that operates under a collaborative philosophy," aiming to support photographers in building sustainable careers.[3]
At a glance
- Original address: 2421 17th Street, Sacramento, on 17th between Broadway and X Street.[1]
- Current address (from late 2013): 723 S Street, between 7th and 8th Streets.[2][4]
- Building history: constructed in 1913, originally occupied by Pacific Gas & Electric; listed on the Historic Registry.[5]
- Physical character: 30-foot high clerestory ceilings with skylight windows, polished cement floors, rustic brick interior walls, and moveable walls; indoor capacity 180–250.[4]
- Character: brick, "urban loft-style gallery" combining photography, music and local artistry.[1]
- Associated with photographer Wes Davis (also written Wesley Davis), co-founder and gallery director, described as "of Beatnik Studios."[6][7][8]
- Recurring use: CD/album release shows and fine-art exhibitions, 2010–2016.[9][10][11][1][7][12]
Description and role in the scene
Beatnik Studios occupies a brick, loft-style room in Sacramento; Submerge characterized it as a gallery that "blends harmoniously" with fine-art exhibitions while also serving photography and live music, bringing those disciplines "to a shared space."[1] Photographer Wes (Wesley) Davis is repeatedly identified as being "of Beatnik Studios," tying the space to his photography practice and to local-music documentary work.[6][7]
The space operated from 2421 17th Street through at least mid-2012, then relocated to 723 S Street in late 2013 when the founders purchased the building.[2] The S Street building dates to 1913 and was originally occupied by Pacific Gas & Electric; it is listed on the Historic Registry.[5] The new space features 30-foot high clerestory ceilings with skylight windows running the full length of the room, polished cement floors, rustic brick interior walls, moveable walls, and an indoor capacity of 180–250 people.[4]
The founders
Wes Davis, co-founder and gallery director, holds a Bachelor of Arts in Photography from Sacramento State and worked as a professional photographer for Submerge and the Sacramento News & Review.[8] Davis was instrumental in creating Beatnik Studios and is repeatedly credited in Submerge coverage for documenting the local music scene.[6][8]
As a music venue
Across 2010–2016, Beatnik Studios recurred in Submerge coverage as a host for album and CD release shows by local and regional artists:
- DLRN (the Sacramento hip-hop duo of MC 5th Ave / Sean La Marr and producer Jon Reyes) held the release party for its album The Bridge at Beatnik Studios on Aug. 6, 2010, an event pitched with tequila tasting and free beer for those 21-and-over.[9]
- San Francisco's Fierce Creatures were slated to perform at Beatnik Studios on May 27, 2011, after which Davis planned to film them for his Live in the City of Trees video project.[6]
- Jason Webley played a live show at Beatnik Studios on Oct. 30, 2011 that Submerge ranked No. 20 in its Top 20 of 2011, describing him thrusting into a giant red balloon and getting the audience to link arms and sway.[13]
- Desario (a Sacramento indie rock band including former members of Holiday Flyer) held the CD release show for its album Mixer at Beatnik Studios on March 3, 2012, joined by Tremor Low (Oakland) and Hearts + Horses.[10]
- Sherman Baker celebrated the release of his album Seventeenth Street at Beatnik Studios on June 2, 2012, on a bill with Autumn Sky (who released her own CD that day) and opener Ricky Berger, with a 7 p.m. showtime.[11]
- Be Brave Bold Robot played Beatnik Studios on Oct. 26, 2012 to celebrate the release of Under a Thin Veil of Madness, joined by Appetite, Cold Eskimo and Buzzmutt; the "Final Friday" show began at 9 p.m. with a $5–$10 suggested donation.[7]
- Joe Kye, a violinist leaving Sacramento for Portland, played what was billed as his last local show at Beatnik Studios on June 10, 2016, a #SeedtoSprout benefit for the Mustard Seed School done in collaboration with CORE Contemporary Dance.[12]
As an art gallery
Beatnik Studios also operated as an exhibition space. In June 2012 it hosted fine artist Milton 510 Bowens' solo exhibition Echoes of the Sweetest Sounds, a music-themed show drawn from his Afro-Classical and Soul Music collections marking 20 years of his work; the exhibition was on view through June 26, 2012, and the article gives the gallery's address as 2421 17th Street.[1]
Connections to local-music documentation
Wes Davis, identified with Beatnik Studios, co-founded the Live in the City of Trees video project with Devon Carsen in 2011, filming stripped-down performances by local and regional musicians in distinctive Sacramento-area settings; Davis was also the photographer for a Submerge cover featuring the local band ZuhG.[6] This links Beatnik Studios to broader efforts to document the Sacramento music scene during the period.