Breinn Richter, executive director of SiNaCa Studios School of Glass and Gallery, points at the audience during an Arlington City Council meeting Sept. 29 at the council chambers. Richter said part of the SiNaCa Studios Master Agreement and Lease resolution was a $150,000 grant for predevelopment.
During its Tuesday meeting, the Arlington City Council voted 5-3 on a resolution authorising the execution of a master agreement and lease agreement between the city and SiNaCa Studios, a Fort Worth nonprofit glass arts organization. The agreements would allow the studio to relocate to Arlington.
Under the proposed lease, the studio will operate as a nonprofit glass arts school, artist studio and community arts facility with educational programming and exhibitions, according to a staff report. The studio will provide community engagement activities and public programming as additional consideration for use of the property.
SiNaCa Studios was founded in 2007 by five UTA graduates. It opened its first public studio at a former gas station on Magnolia Avenue in Fort Worth in 2011, said Breinn Richter, executive director of the studio.
“We’ve been there for 15 years and we have outgrown that space probably for the last five years,” Richter said.
The nonprofit is dedicated to providing opportunities to people looking to experience glass art through education and community involvement, according to a SiNaCa Studios press release.
The studio will move into a city-owned property located on 300 W. Front St. for an initial 10-year lease and will have the option to renew for another 10 years.
The city will provide a $150,000 grant for facility design and reimburse up to $850,000 for approved building improvements needed to bring the building up to compliance with applicable building codes, according to the report.
The $850,000 reimbursement grant will be repaid to the city through monthly lease payments within the 10-year lease, according to the report.
“We envision a place where students can experience the connection between science and art, where an adult trying something unfamiliar can rediscover their joy of learning, where artists can develop their practice and where families, friends and neighbors can create lasting memories together,” Richter said during the meeting.
Council members Mauricio Galante, Nikkie Hunter and Tom Ware voted against the resolution. Council member Bowie Hogg was not present for the vote.
Council member Brittney Garcia-Dumas speaks to the audience during a meeting Sept. 29 at the council chambers. The SiNaCa Studios Master Agreement and Lease resolution was to support the studio’s relocation to downtown Arlington.
Two speakers spoke in opposition of the resolution who co-own their own glass studio in Arlington.
Josh Yunker, one co-owner of Grey Area Studio, said he is concerned about the overlap in services that SiNaCa studios offers and the services his own studio offers.
“It’s going to change the competitive landscape of Arlington in a very specialized market,” Yunker said.
While speaking at the meeting, he asked the council to postpone its vote on the item.
“I’m asking for time so a commitment of this magnitude can receive the public, financial and legal review that it deserves,” Yunker said.
Before Tuesday’s evening meeting, Yunker met with Mayor Jim Ross to talk about his small business’ position. At the meeting, Ross said the discussion between him and Yunker wasn’t over yet and that the business means something to the council.
“I intend to come and visit you, look at what y’all are doing over there, bring staff with me so we can talk about how we can help your business over there,” Ross said.
Galante said during the meeting that he would be voting in opposition of the resolution to support a message that the city stands with small businesses of Arlington. However, he also echoed the mayor, saying he would spend time speaking to both businesses.
With the resolution passing, SiNaCa Studios’ public opening is currently targeted for fall 2027, according to the proposed lease agreement.
“There is room for all glass artists here in Arlington,” Richter said.
She said there are other cities where multiple glass studios within miles of each other which “creates a glass destination.”
“If we are all working together and rowing in the same direction, it creates that opportunity,” Richter said.
@j.e.journalism