Historical April–May 2011 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
When Andy and Linda Cross purchased the building at 5947 Kingsbury, on the northeast of the “Four Corners,” in September, 2010, they knew they were carrying on an historic tradition. SD artist and Kingsbury resident Bill Kohn had owned the building since 1974 and used the entire first floor as a studio. Other artists rented spaces in the basement.
As an art major at WU, Andy based his entire class schedule around Bill’s classes, because Bill was his favorite artist and teacher.
When Bill passed away after a battle with cancer, Pat Kohn suggested to Linda that Andy should rent a studio space on the first floor. Pat later encouraged Andy to buy it, with the hopes that artistic pursuits would continue to take place there.
In Sept, 2010, Andy and Linda purchased the building and contractors updated the 2nd floor east apartment and completely renovated the 2nd floor west unit. Those units are now available for rent, each with a fine view of the Greg Freeman Park at Four Corners.
In the studio, Andy makes the hand-painted signs that you see in SD announcing neighborhood events, and he rents one of the two smaller 1st floor spaces.
He plans to bring the basement areas up to code to make studio space available there again soon.
A white-walled open area on the 1st floor has served as a gallery for four of Andy’s annual art shows and has also hosted a few informal small gatherings.
The Crosses hope to have neighbors and other artists display their work in the gallery area.
The West End Arts Council has plans to teach art classes there, including classes for cub scouts.
In fact, Andy and Bill Christman are organizing their first art-corners showing starting on May 7. Look for more information soon or just stop by!
The history of what we now call the Four Corners” is rich and varied, and the building at 5947 Kingsbury has been home to a number of businesses and activities. Prior to Kohn’s studio locating there, the building at 5949 Kingsbury was home to another neighborhood resident’s business, Bill Schiller’s “Colonial Rug Co.” In fact, Bill’s name, inscribed on the rear wall by a former employee, remains legible even today.
In a recent conversation, Bill Schiller recalled renting the building from Joe Wotka Properties from the late 50s after starting his business on Ivanhoe Ave. Colonial Rug was located for over twenty years at the Kingsbury address, across from a grocery that became a library.
But that’s another story.
The Schiller family lived in Parkview until recently, and Bill lives in a Skinker condo now.
His daughter Kiki Chavez resides in the neighborhood, too. Bill and his son Steve, who lived on Westminster for several years and was later married to Laurie Porterfield, who was Executive Director of the SDCC in the 80s, moved the business to Delmar, where the Pin-Up Bowl is now located.
They later moved it to Overland and closed the business in 2010 after 54 years in business.
The SDCC’s own office at 6008 Kingsbury, on the southwest corner, was also the very first location of the St. Roch’s Parish, 100 years ago in Skinker-DeBaliviere.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, April–May 2011.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Archival transcription note: Article alternates 5947 and 5949 Kingsbury in historical business discussion; source addresses preserved.
Original source: SD_Times2011_04.pdf, printed page(s) 4; PDF page(s) 4.
