On an auspicious afternoon last March, Bobbi reached out to us.
Her company would be holding a conference in Chicago, convening a network from all over the country. No sweat.
But this gathering was unlike any event we've had at Catalyst Ranch before. Hmm, we thought. We have the resources and the gumption. But the square footage?
The thing is, at that point, we'd had a pot simmering on the proverbial stovetop already: a new space with a new concept. And it was simply perfect, magical timing that allowed us to welcome this new client and this multi-faceted event into the Catalyst Ranch confines, newly expanded with the launch of our exciting Catalyst Studio.
*All photos by Ryan Moore Photography unless otherwise attributed
The Big News
Catalyst Ranch is proud to debut the Catalyst Studio: A versatile stretch of event space that provides the bold color and exposed brick of the Catalyst Ranch aesthetic, while creating more room for all sorts of creative events by scaling down the furnishings and objects.
Catalyst Studio is located mere steps away from our existing —and award-winning!— collection of meeting spaces, and that short distance is symbolic of what it adds to our offerings: A departure from the classic Ranch environment, with a distinctly urban-loft vibe, with even greater flexibility and versatility.
The Vision
What originally got our imaginations going for this space was the architecture: Long walls and a meandering space would be perfect for a bubbly, engaging art gallery viewing.
Then our minds went further. A blank-canvas-vibrant-space with room to play and to personalize, Catalyst Studio could be the ultimate venue for all kinds of intimate, creative events and gatherings: music performance and live readings; book launches and book clubs; podcast recording, photoshoots, cocktail parties, and more.
The Test
When Bobbi asked what kind of experience we could offer for displaying a multimedia gallery — the crown jewel of a multi-day conference for the national nonprofit Education Reimagined — we knew the stakes were high. We told Bobbi that we'd be supremely honored to have her organization be the first inside Catalyst Studio, our baby darling space born from a thrilling notion of an art gallery!
And so we like to think it was fate that brought Education Reimagined to Chicago this summer, allowing us to debut Catalyst Studio in a big way.
The Results
We worked with Bobbi and her colleagues to set up the Studio just right, with our own small touches of Ranch decor enhancing the experience of taking in the gallery.
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We had Education Reimagined leave their mark, literally, imprinting their gallery title and exhibition description on the entranceway wall.
The Studio is the only Ranch space where semi-permanent customization such as this has been made available!
The Studio is the only Ranch space where semi-permanent customization such as this has been made available!
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One multimedia work was staged with a listening station, incorporating the homey trappings of a Catalyst Ranch breakout area.
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Our nook, enclosed by a bold curve of block glass and which serves as a natural focal point, became the perfect home to a tall sculptural artwork with printed media hanging like a willow tree canopy.
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Education Reimagined truly made Catalyst Studio their own, and it became a highlight of their conference.
While traditional meeting elements took place in our classic Polka, Cha Cha and Tango rooms at the main Ranch, Catalyst Studio served as a welcome break from the usual proceedings, with a toast and closing circle for leadership happening in the Studio kitchen and private north room.
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The Future
This space we've unveiled at 648 West Randolph has surely had numerous past lives. And now we get to put a new spin on it again and again with each new client and creative event in this Studio.
What do you envision in this space?
What joyful, dynamic occasion can we help you make a reality?
Reach out to us. We're happy to help brainstorm your perfect event at Catalyst Studio.
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Our Senior Client Services Manager, Kira Hernandez, can tell you more about the Studio as well as all the rest of our Catalyst Ranch creative meeting and event spaces.
**Next up: We hear from Bobbi Macdonald herself about the significance of this summer's event and the work done by the national nonprofit Education Reimagined. Stay tuned!
