NEW NAME, NEW LOOK. Artisan Forge Studios is officially rebranding to The 1106 on August 6, and with it comes a remodel and the addition of businesses like Modicum Brewery, Covizza, DigiCopy, and more. 

The concept has always been there and the impetus to move forward came about a year ago, born from ideas forged during the pandemic. Greg Johnson, owner of Artisan Forge Studios and Artisan Forge Metalworks, and Kelly Speros, Artisan Forge Studios’ director, and their spouses have always wanted to provide a relevant, supportive environment for the community’s artists and creatives through physical spaces in the building. Having achieved this goal and aiming to continue being a forefront influencer in the creative culture of Eau Claire, Artisan Forge Studios is rebranding as The 1106. The new name is a reference to their address, 1106 Mondovi Road.

With this rebranding comes a retooling of the opportunities and platforms that artists, creatives, and the surrounding community can stand upon. The 1106 will help provide an identity to an area of Eau Claire that has always existed but has not been consistently defined.

With all of these additions and expansions, The 1106 will become a seven-day-a-week destination where community members can immerse themselves in everything that is offered in this complex cultural space.

Johnson and Speros recognized an untapped opportunity to provide an autonomous location with no space restrictions in their effort to continue their artistic relevance in offering the community a better experience in The 1106. Conceptually, they envision The 1106 to be a unique destination where the public can come enjoy an experience that will encompass food and drinks, music, and art of all forms in an area they affectionately refer to as Uptown Eau Claire.

Specifically, The 1106 in Uptown Eau Claire will feature the fully remodeled 800-square-foot 1 Gallery which will continue to house artists and provide a space for creativity to a myriad of tenants. 

“The 1 Gallery will function as our flagship space where we will maintain our relevance by creating a seemingly never-ending drop of fresh and new experiences for our guests,” Speros said.

New 1106 logo. (Submitted)

Additionally, in regard to the food and drink offerings, The 1106 will highlight a new space for Modicum Brewery and a brand-new concept from Covizza.

There will also be a new 5,000-square-foot space that will house DigiCopy on the south side of The 1106. A performing arts area will be featured near the gallery, and the Forge Theater will continue to have a space in The 1106 as well.

On the health front, Authentic Core Pilates Wellness Center will carry on its pilates sessions as well as an on-site esthetician and Lululemon boutique.

With all of these additions and expansions, The 1106 will become a seven-day-a-week destination where community members can immerse themselves in everything that is offered in this complex cultural space.

If all of this were not ambitious enough of an endeavor for the rebranding of The 1106, why not throw in an 18-hole mini-golf course? Johnson explains that the concept will include sculptures as hazards along the course and that the sculptures will be changed out periodically. The mini-golf course is set to be added sometime next year, he said.

The rebranding and redesign will begin Aug. 1, with a hopeful 90-day turn-around so that The 1106 can be enjoyed during the fall season. The redesign of the spaces at 1106 Mondovi Road will require the temporary relocation of the current tenants, but Johnson and Speros have made accommodations for them and say that the tenants are excited and enthusiastic about the change. The last time that the current configuration and iteration of Artisan Forge Studios can be experienced will be at the annual Tiki Party on July 29 where some of the iconic garage doors art will need to find a new home as well.

The 1106 will be a cultural attraction that, as Johnson puts it, causes an “illuminescene” in Uptown Eau Claire. “You’re always just a cacophonous clanging gong if you’re continually doing the same thing,” Johnson said.

For more information regarding the upcoming changes at Artisan Forge Studios and The 1106, visit Artisan Forge’s website and visit their Facebook page.