If you’re a fan of the famous gift festival hosted by Silpakorn University, and charmed by their art space at the Wang Tha Phra campus, V64 Art Studio is a great new alternative that’s taking hold out by Chaeng Wattana, providing another much-needed community art space for the public as well as emerging artists. The three-acre space in the middle of Vibhavadi Soi 64 is comprised of four sections: art studios, an art academy, an art gallery and art souvenirs.

The V64 Art Studio takes up over 70% of the whole space and contains 35 studio rooms housing the work spaces of over 60 artists, mostly from the Chatuchak Weekend Market. Attasit Pokpong, the founder, knows that there is still a need for a place where new artists can create and exhibit. “Nowadays, there are a lot of young emerging artists. They graduate from arts programs, but have to work in the business sector,” he says.

At V64 Art Studio, many artists share their space and work collaboratively to create new pieces. The rooms are filled with paintings, ceramics and sculptures—all of which will be on view for visitors to explore and watch the artists in action. “When we were still in school, we used to have a common room that all of us used to create our artworks. The process of working together gives us a chance to discuss and critique each other to improve our work,” says Attasit.

On the second floor of the studios is the V64 Art Academy, which will offer art courses for children, university entrance portfolio tutorials and art for adults taught by member artists who work downstairs. The Art Academy wil also offer free art activities to children who live in the neighborhood, through a program called Art for Community Program, every Sunday 2pm onwards. Head of the Art Academy Podjanee Chaybondis says, “These kids have no money to take courses, but they live in our neighborhood. Some of them don’t even know what art is, and neither do their parents. We believe that this activity could help foster a better appreciation and understanding of art. We do this on a volunteer basis, from our own unused materials. We keep an eye on them, too.”

Live art and education aside, the front portion of the building houses the V64 Art Gallery where selected pieces from member artists will be on display. Currently on view is a painting exhibition called Lady First, running through Sep 18. Right beside the gallery is the currently-under-construction V64 Art Souvenir shop which, come November, will be filled with t-shirts and other trinkets.

And if all that art and walking around gets you hungry, the last section houses the V64 Restaurant Café &Bar, which is a café by day and turns into a bar in the evening, where you can throw back an espresso or a beer while discussing the art you’ve just seen.

The grand opening of V64 is in November, but everything but the souvenir shop is already up and running.

V64 Art Studio, 143/19 Soi Chaengwattana 1 Yak 6, Laksi, 02-973-2681. www.facebook.com/V64art