The Purple House
The Purple House - 2014
After two years of "Tuesday Art Garden," CAG needed an indoor space for program consistency. CAG purchased this condemned property in 2014 with support from Donte's "Griz Heart" fundraiser. The house is painted purple, the color of the original house on this property. Binghampton residents often pull over to see what is happening in the once infamous "Purple House."
When The Purple House opened in 2014, CAG hired our first four staff members. Our original staff is all long-time volunteers turned paid employees. Hiring from within the community is a priority for our organization. Our Binghampton staff are experts in Binghampton's strengths while also understanding the challenges of leading community programs on Carpenter Street.
This multipurpose indoor space hosts small group art and music lessons, community meetings, and a laundry co-op for families. Small group workshops include art classes taught by Memphis Artists: Melissa Dunn, Lawrence Matthews, Danny Broadway, Kristi Duckworth, Terry Lynn, Jeff McMillen, Tootsie Bell, Kenneth Wayne Alexander, Terry DeWitt, Andrea Morales, Cat Pena, Adam Exbierd, Beth Edwards, Carlye Wolfe, Jamond Bullock, Anthony Lee, Cameron Spencer, Christian Robinson, Frank D. Robinson, Hamlet Dobbins, Suzy Hendrix, Danny Shivers, Janis Kimbrough, Katie Jones, Kenny Hayes, Lauren Ready, Larry Walker, Mary Jo Karimnia, Meghan Warner, Andrew Landers, Cory Elder, Shelly Bolton, George Hunt, Iris Orchestra, Darlene Newman. And national artists such as Christian Robinson and Lonnie Holley.
This private space allows for specific projects to develop, such as our Mural Training Program under the guidance of teaching artist Jamond Bullock. Between 2013 and 2019, the mural team painted the following murals throughout Binghampton:
Johnson Corner Store: 3007 Johnson Ave.
Binghampton Community Church: 3006 Johnson Ave.
Dj's Grocery: 3152 Johnson Ave.
Young's Food Mart: 264 Scott St.
Yellow Store: 395 Scott St.
Binghampton Development Corp: 280 Tillman St.
Kings' Drive In Grocery: 306 Tillman St.
Ne-Time Plumbing: 600 Tillman St.
Consistent programming also led to the development of our Teen Job Hub. This program provides Binghampton youth with a meaningful source of income and skill training, alongside an essential sense of belonging, pride, contribution, and investment in the community and its identity.