By Nastassia Auguiste

Staff Writer

Tucked away in a quiet residential neighborhood, Sailboat Bend artist lofts, a multi-disciplinary artist community, brings the artisans and their work closer. This 37 unit complex offers one, two and three bedroom apartments to emerging and established local artists. What makes Sailboat Bend, named for Fort Lauderdale’s only historic district, so special? One unique attribute that makes Sailboat Bend stand out is the immaculately maintained charming and picturesque three floor gallery at the heart of this condo complex.

“One of the great aspects of our art community, you get to network, collaborate and grow with other creative’s” states a candid Nichole “Niki” Lopez, one of the resident artist of this relatively young complex.

The residents of Sailboat Bend Artist Lofts actively participate in the “many group, solo and collaborative shows.” Each resident artist has the opportunity to act as curator for the duration of one month. Activities include but are not limited to movie screenings, book signings, artist talks, performances and fund raising.

The purpose of the condominium is to provide affordable housing for artists. The lofts themselves are “live-work spaces”; a place where the artists can live, that functions as a place to create. The gallery within the complex provides an operative venue for events. The events are open to the public and are organized by the artists who reside in the building.

The term “live-work space” comes from one of Americas leading nonprofit real estate developer for the arts. Art Space US built, owns and operates the lofts. This artistic community came about when Art Space and Broward County became partners in this venture.

A wide variety of artisans’ live in the condos at Sailboat Bend. “Photographers, performance artists, writers, graphic designers” such as Niki Lopez all share the modern living spaces. Residents collaborate on creative ventures and network, finding inspiration for the calendar of events that occur in the gallery.

“Our 2009 calendar includes a show every third Saturday of the month” Lopez explains. Niki Lopez aside from being an artist herself maintains the official website for the close knit community and provides email updates of future events.

Niki Lopez is an emergent south Florida graphic design artist and painter. Her brand of aesthetically apt paintings confront relevant global issues (example “Darfur”). The depth of color used in her work is palatable and eye catching without being gaudy. Her color schemes never appear to take away from the gravity of the content.

Lopez was the curator for an exhibit entitled “Colors, Lines and Soul.” This event brought “close to 200 people” to the Sailboat Bend gallery. The exhibit helped raise funds for Be Organic. Guest enjoyed paintings on the first floor (including “Sunflower” and “Possibility” by Niki Lopez) along side still photography. On the second floor free refreshments were offered and many unique photos lined the walls. These photographs used a technique called “light painting”, in which photos are taken in a low lit area highlighting the movement created by a hand held light source.

Many people associate great art and creativity with Miami’s Wynwood Art District but there is a lot going on in Broward County as well States Lopez. Resident artist Niki Lopez is excited about her life’s work. “It is great to be a part of a budding art community that will only add to the great art going on with in the tri-counties.”