Eden Prairie may get arts center

Eden Prairie is about to inherit an arts center.

The family of the late Roger Sampson of Chanhassen wants to make the city a gift of his former Eden Prairie art studio overlooking Purgatory Creek at 7650 Equitable Drive.

The City Council has tentatively welcomed the donation as a community focal point for the arts. But before taking a final vote to accept the building, the council wants to consider how it should be used and what it would cost.

For the answer to those questions, the City Council has turned to its Arts and Culture Commission. The council wants guidance on hours of operation, whether the center should be run by paid staff or volunteers, and what kind of classes to offer initially.

An arts center has been on the city's priority list for at least 15 years. The council is proceeding cautiously to make the most of the new building and find the best fit for it within the city's budget and programs, said City Manager Scott Neal.

The arts commission will meet with city staff to discuss options. The council is scheduled to receive its report and vote on accepting the building April 15, Neal said.

Designed 'for an artist by an artist'

The 5,500-square-foot Sampson studio has large windows and well-lit space suitable for studio classes in pottery, painting, drawing and sculpture, among other things. It has one large room and three smaller rooms, a garage, space for parking and a back deck overlooking Purgatory Creek and woods.

Hennepin County lists the value of the property at $786,000 -- $492,000 in land and $294,000 for the building. In 2007, the taxes paid on the property were $24,545.

Residents will welcome the center as a new way to promote the arts in Eden Prairie, said Ann Rorem, who chairs the Arts and Culture Commission.

Rorem, who has toured the building, said "It was designed for an artist by an artist. That is what makes it great. It's ready for us to just move in and set up." She sees it as a place where the creative people of the community can share their gifts.

An arts center would provide an arena for adults and children whose interests are not met by sports or other activities, said City Council Member Kathy Nelson. She said council members have seen estimates of utility costs that indicate that the building was built well and will have reasonable operating costs.

Neighboring Edina has a studio arts center overlooking Lake Cornelia. It operates with a budget of about $600,000 a year -- most of which comes from class fees and fundraising. About $100,000 is provided by the city from liquor store proceeds, said Brad Benn, retired assistant director.

The Edina center offers pottery, painting, drawing and photography.

In Bloomington, a large new center for the performing and studio arts opened four years ago next to City Hall. It operates with a city budget of $459,000 a year, about half of which is paid by the city. The other half comes from ticket sales to performances, fees charged to private groups that rent space in the facility, and the proceeds from an endowment.

In Minnetonka, the city shares a multi-use performing arts center and gallery with the school district. The city and the school district each pay half of the cost of operation. The city's share in 2007 was $107,470.

Roger Sampson's son, Warren, of Bloomington, said it's smart for the city to find out what it would cost to operate the center before accepting the building. "In this economy, this is something that Eden Prairie is going to find a challenge."

Artist's fulfilling retirement

Roger Sampson was born in south Minneapolis and went on to become the president of Barber Colman, a northern Illinois manufacturing company specializing in the production of industrial products.

He moved to Chanhassen when he retired and in 1995 built the studio at Equitable Drive for his personal use. It became a focal point for recreational art enjoyed by Sampson's family and friends. Sampson himself threw pots, blew glass and taught friends how to make collages, platters and bowls out of cut glass.

He used the building for about 10 years before he died of a brain tumor in 2006 at the age of 72.

After his father died, Warren Sampson said his family discussed what to do with the building. His mother, Elaine, lives in Edina. His sister, Anne Schuerger, lives in St. Paul.

His father had talked about making the building an arts center, Warren Sampson said. "Art was his interest, and Eden Prairie was his location, so I think that would be exactly what he wanted."

The family would not want the center named for Roger Sampson, nor would they want to direct programming, Warren Sampson said.

"The vision for what it turns into is up to the city."

Laurie Blake • 612-673-1711