The Thought Lot: Eclectic Experiences, Community Focus
If you are into live music, visual art, fitness or just about anything that fits in a building, The Thought Lot has something to offer you. Located at 37 Orange Street in Shippensburg, Pa., The Thought Lot serves as a center for contemporary art of all kinds.
In 2006, The Thought Lot began as an empty, run-down building. Shippensburg Arts Programming and Education (SHAPE) opened the space as part of the “Really Big Art Show,” and since then The Thought Lot has grown into its own separate entity, and the facility has evolved into what it is now.
The Thought Lot’s 10,000 square feet of space is run entirely through the work of volunteers. Its upkeep and improvement is supported through donations and by renting its facility to artists, entrepreneurs and members of the community. At the rate of $1 per square-foot per month or $300 per day for the building, the space is available for nearly any use.
“We are always open to new ideas, too,” says Valerie Goates, a volunteer organizer for The Thought Lot. “There is a lot of potential here, and we want the community to use it.”
The facility offers a host of regular events: including a new art exhibit on the first Friday of each month. Weekly events include yoga, open mics, a fitness club and a knitting club.
Local musician Sean Hallock performs regularly at The Thought Lot as a member of Rozwell Kid and other groups. He also books other traveling bands for live shows several times a year.
Hallock says “The Thought Lot has a chill atmosphere that gives you the go ahead to hang out with bands passing through town. I think that’s pretty exciting and so do the bands I book.”
The Thought Lot is unique for our community, and it is the result of artists following passions. Goates explains, “You have to make the place you love, and this place is great for that.”
According to Hallock, “there aren’t many places like this throughout the county—it’s worth being a part of.”
Upcoming events include a Pysanky (Ukrainian egg) class and a live music show on Aril 6 featuring Lilac Daze, Harvey Pekar and another surprise band.
All events at The Thought Lot are BYOB with valid proof of age.
For more information about events at The Thought Lot, visit the venue’s Facebook page. For a full calendar of events and general information, visit thethoughtlot.com.