On the corner of Carlisle Boulevard and Central Avenue stands a small artistic haven that houses the works of countless nearby artists, clashing together in a colorful collection of products provided by local painters, musicians, jewelry makers and even beekeepers.
That haven — Kosmic Trading Post — serves as an outlet for artistic goods, services and training with one goal in mind: to build a community for artists. Store owner and manager Chance Katz has lived by this mission since the store’s first days in 2008.
“I really feel like artists need a space where they can be respected and have a place to show their work,” Katz said. “That’s one of the reasons I opened Kosmic.”
Katz has actively been involved with the arts since her childhood.
She grew up in a creative community, and she came to know it as a place where any type of expression is accepted and nurtured.
Kosmic Trading Post, she said, is how she expanded this environment.
“I think there are a lot of free thinkers out there that are full of ideas that could benefit society, but it’s hard for them to be heard in traditional ways,” she said. “Getting ideas out there and being able to look at new ways of dealing with things is essential right now.”
Dan Garduño, an artist whose glass artwork has been displayed at Kosmic, has been providing glass blowing lessons and demonstrations for nearly two years. Garduño pursued Kosmic after hearing about the studio and its efforts to display some of his work.
“They basically invited me in at a time of need,” Garduño said. “I really needed to come in and be around some good positive energy and good people. They helped me out with that a lot.”
Katz said Kosmic is run by 17 different artists, each of whom brings a unique talent to the store. From tarot card readings to massage therapy, crystal healings to workshops in jewelry making, Katz said it is the coexistence of each trade that makes this store thrive.
“The main thing, I think, is that we’re a co-operative, and in the economic market that is going on right now, the most important thing is that people have to band together and help each other out,” he said. “I think that human beings are pack animals, and we really need to work together in order to benefit each other. It just really opens things up and provides so much more opportunity for everyone.”
Gabriela Bateman, a psychic reader who has worked with Kosmic for about two years, said she agreed with Katz.
“We all work together for healing and support,” Bateman said.
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She said she loves her co-workers, and working at Kosmic Trading Post is like creating a big community project. It’s an artistically open approach to work that Bateman said she enjoys.
“A creative community can help because, I think, when it all comes together, you can have the support of the community,” Bateman said. “It doesn’t matter the background or where you come from. I think everybody likes art and music and some sort of communicating in all levels of society. For me, being creative means to express what everyone wants to do, to become one with things that you can possibly make.”
