Creative Leadership & Arts Center — Interior Build-Out & Art Studio Upfit
Our most ambitious project — turning two tired rooms into one bright studio where young artists and leaders are made.
BeforeAfterDrag to compare today vs. the rendering
This is the big one. Right now it's two dim, cluttered rooms with old carpet and dated lighting. The vision is a single, light-filled art studio — open floor, fresh LVP flooring, bright walls, a full supply wall of organized art materials, kid-height tables, a drying rack for masterpieces, and "Creativity takes courage" on the wall. It's where Harvest Academy's creative and leadership programs will live. It's the most demanding project on the list, and it will be the most transformational.
This project comes in phases. Phase 1 — Construction (expert-led): removing two walls, electrical work, and repairs. Phase 2 — Floors & Paint (skilled hands): new LVP flooring and fresh paint throughout. Phase 3 — Studio Upfit (open to volunteers): shelving, art tables, drying racks, and supply storage. Phase 4 — Identity & Décor (beginner-friendly): signage, art displays, and finishing touches. If you're a builder, contractor, or business who could champion the construction phase — this is the project that needs you most.
- Dumpster / debris hauling
- Framing lumber, drywall, joint compound; header/beam if needed
- Electrical: boxes, outlets, switches, wire, breakers (electrician-supplied)
- LVP flooring (~700 sq ft + 10% waste) + underlayment + transitions
- Baseboards, trim, caulk, fasteners
- Primer + paint (walls, ceiling, trim) + rollers, brushes, trays, tape, drop cloths
- Open cubby shelving (the supply wall)
- Kid-height art tables (2–3) + stools
- Drying rack for artwork + easel(s)
- Storage bins, baskets, labeled supply caddies
- Teacher worktable + chair
- Harvest Academy framed logo sign
- "Creativity takes courage. — Henri Matisse" wall lettering/decal
- "Every Child Is an Artist" framed print
- Cork/fabric display board ("Young Artists at Work!")
- Plants, planters, misc. décor
- Hanging hardware + decal application kit
- Pry bars + sledge/demo tools
- Reciprocating saw
- Stud finder
- Cordless drill/driver
- Circular saw + miter saw
- Level (laser ideal) + chalk line
- Flooring saw / jigsaw + tapping block, spacers, pull bar
- Painting kit (rollers, brushes, trays, tape, drop cloths)
- Shop vac
- Step ladders
- PPE: eye protection, dust masks/respirators, gloves, ear protection
| Item | Store | Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Demo of two interior walls + dumpster/debris haul | Contractor | $600–$1,800 |
| Framing/drywall repair; header/beam if structural | Contractor/Lowe's | $800–$3,500 |
| Electrical relocations + new studio circuits (licensed) | Electrician | $800–$3,000 |
| Permit + inspection fees | AHJ | $200–$700 |
| LVP flooring ~700 sq ft + underlayment + transitions | Lowe's | $1,400–$2,800 |
| Baseboards/trim + caulk/fasteners | Lowe's | $200–$450 |
| Primer + paint (walls, ceiling, trim) | Lowe's | $300–$600 |
| Paint + flooring tools/consumables | Lowe's | $150–$350 |
| Low open cubby/storage shelving (supply wall) | Lowe's/retail | $400–$900 |
| Kid-height art tables (2–3) + stools | Retail/online | $400–$900 |
| Drying rack + easel(s) | Art supply/online | $150–$400 |
| Storage bins, baskets, labeled caddies | Target | $120–$300 |
| Teacher worktable + chair | Retail | $130–$300 |
| Harvest Academy framed logo sign | Sign shop | $80–$150 |
| "Creativity takes courage" wall lettering/decal | Sign shop | $60–$130 |
| "Every Child Is an Artist" framed print | Online | $40–$90 |
| Cork/fabric display board ("Young Artists at Work!") | Lowe's/retail | $60–$140 |
| Plants, planters, misc. décor | HomeGoods/Lowe's | $80–$180 |
| Hanging hardware + decal application kit | Lowe's | $25–$40 |
Determine if either wall is load-bearing BEFORE planning demo — needs contractor or structural engineer; load-bearing means beam/header + likely permit (biggest cost swing). Check walls for electrical, plumbing, HVAC ducts, low-voltage/data and reroute by the right trade. Permits: structural and electrical changes almost certainly require permits and inspections in NC — confirm with local AHJ and build timeline around inspection windows. Asbestos/lead caution: older building — verify age of flooring/adhesives and pre-1978 paint before demo. Sequence: demo → rough electrical → inspection → drywall/paint → flooring → trim → furnish → decorate. Don't furnish before inspections pass. 20'×35' ≈ 700 sq ft; confirm ceiling height for paint coverage. Confirm relocation home for the copier/printer and stored items currently in this room.
Flagship business / multi-family project. Ideal lead sponsor: a general contractor, builder, or construction company who can donate or direct the skilled labor. Flooring and paint suppliers make great material sponsors. Phases 3–4 are perfect for families who want to help once construction is safely done.
This project's a bigger lift — team up with 1 or 2 other families to make it happen.
Covers the full project
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Be the first to chip in toward this project's $16,000 goal.
Your family covers the materials and completes the build.
Chip in money — another family handles the work.