A long-imagined vision for a multicultural, multidisciplinary arts hub became reality Thursday morning as Art House 360 celebrated its grand opening in a restored 1917 schoolhouse in downtown Verona.
Mayor Luke Diaz called the new facility “a chance for us all to come together in an inclusive and accessible space.”
“I’m so happy that I had the opportunity to support it,” he said. “I think it’s gonna be an opportunity for Verona and for Western Dane County, and I wish the Art House 360 all the success that they deserve and all the success in the future.”
The space is home to six creative organizations, including theater company Theater LILA, Inventiva Works, dance company Barrio Dance, Slate Blue Studios, Verona Maker Space, and Loud and Proud Studio. Co-founders say the goal is to offer space for creation, performance, and instruction across disciplines while fostering collaboration and cultural exchange.
Dane Arts Executive Director Mark Fraire credited the project’s success to broad community support.
“It does not happen without a community… it’s really amazing in the creative town like Verona… something like this is happening,” he said, noting that Dane County contributed $250,000 toward the renovations.
From idea to opening
The concept emerged in 2021, when four co-founders — Jessica Lanius, Monica Cliff, AJ Juarez, and Karissa Johnson — began discussing how to create a sustainable model for artists to practice and teach. They envisioned not just a shared studio but a community gathering place.
When the historic former school building at 401 W. Verona Ave. became available, they pitched their idea to city leaders, who embraced the plan. The city invested tax-increment financing funds for renovations, and additional support came from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, The Evjue Foundation, and private donors.
Cliff, founder of Inventiva Works, and Juarez, director of Barrio Dance, emphasized in interviews last month that Art House 360 was intentionally designed as a multicultural space. Both immigrants — Cliff from Mexico and Juarez from Argentina — they wanted to create programming that reflects and celebrates cultural diversity, including Spanish-language classes and events.
“Every community has something special to offer,” Juarez said. “We want the community to experience that.”
Community impact and hopes
Asiah Aman Wagabaza Doyle, who operates Loud and Proud Studio in the building, grew up in Verona and sees the space as “an opportunity for people to connect and collaborate and inspire people from all different ages, backgrounds, styles… just as I was inspired by the arts growing up.”
Liubov Szwako, who painted two of the murals that adorn the building’s exterior, described the venue as “a melting pot of minds and creativity” and “a safe space to express yourself… this place feels like you can actually be yourself.”
Co-founders used Thursday’s event to thank supporters ranging from the Verona Common Council and Dane County to local businesses that donated flooring, security systems, and Wi-Fi infrastructure. They also urged the community to stay engaged as Art House 360 moves into the second phase of its capital campaign, aiming to raise $1 million over the next 18 months to expand programming and increase access.
Verona Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Le Jordan said the chamber was “on board from day one knowing that this was going to be such an awesome asset to Verona… it is truly a gem for Verona.”
The celebration continues Friday with the second annual Dancing with the Arts fundraiser, featuring live music, dance lessons, performances, food trucks, and art activities. Proceeds will support free and scholarship-based programs at Art House 360. Tickets are available here.
