Entry No. 5 — the Grand Junction file — filed under: art-immersive
Elsewhere Studios
Paonia's hundred-year-old Elsewhere house — once a General Electric building, now the 'Temple of the Muse' — has been hand-built into a rural sci-fi warren by two decades of resident artists: earthen walls, a lofted library, a gingerbread cabin out back. You can't rent a room unless you're a resident, but the alley alongside is a public Alleyscape art wall raised by a hundred-plus locals, the studios open on Final Fridays, and each summer an artist-film series runs with the 1928 Paradise Theatre.
The story
Before it became a live-in workshop for wandering artists, this hundred-year-old structure in Paonia served as a General Electric building. Over the last two decades, rotating residents have slowly re-engineered the house into a hand-built, rural sci-fi warren known as the 'Temple of the Muse.' Think earthen walls, narrow ladder lofts, a lofted library, and a gingerbread cabin tucked into the back garden.
You can't just rent a room here for the weekend—overnight stays are strictly off-limits unless you've been granted an official residency. But the house leaks creative chaos into the street anyway. Over a hundred locals helped construct the public Alleyscape art wall running down the adjacent alley, and the studio collaborates with the town's historic 1928 Paradise Theatre every summer for an artist-run film series.
What it's like
Set your GPS for 107 3rd St after the roughly 90-minute drive from Grand Junction and grab easy street parking near Grand Avenue. Just remember that Elsewhere is a working residency, not an everyday walk-in gallery. Unless you align your trip with a Final Friday open studio, a garden workshop, or a M.U.S.E Teahouse night, you'll be limited to walking the public Alleyscape wall in the alley. If you do make it inside during an open event, watch your step on the narrow ladders and retrofitted lofts—the historic building is definitely not wheelchair accessible.
The move: Aim for a Final Friday: trace the Alleyscape wall into the open studios, join Paonia's art walk across town, and end under the Paradise Theatre marquee.
📍 Before you go It is a working residency, not a gallery — the interior opens only for events like Final Friday open studios, garden workshops, and M.U.S.E Teahouse gatherings, announced on Instagram (@elsewherestudiospaonia) and the newsletter, so confirm something is on before the roughly 90-minute drive from Grand Junction. The Alleyscape art wall runs along the public alley beside the property and can be walked anytime. Street parking near 3rd and Grand is easy, but the old house with its ladder lofts is not wheelchair accessible. Pair it with Paonia's Grand Avenue tasting rooms and whatever the Paradise Theatre is showing a short walk away.
- 📍 Paonia
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 107 3rd St, Paonia, CO 81428
Hours: Added 2026-06-11 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- Blue Sage Center for the Arts — Located right in downtown Paonia, Blue Sage anchors the town's art walk alongside Elsewhere's open studio nights.
- Alfred Eames Cellars — Less than three miles away, this subterranean wine cave designed by a Mexican artist offers another hand-built, secret-feeling space in Paonia.
- Tru Vu Drive-In — Catch a screen outdoor movie at this 1955 drive-in in Delta on your way back west toward Grand Junction.
Good to know
Can I stay overnight or get a room at Elsewhere Studios?
No. Room rentals are strictly reserved for accepted artists-in-residence. Public access to the interior only happens during designated events like Final Friday open studios.
What can I see if I show up on a random weekday?
You can walk the public Alleyscape art wall running alongside the building anytime. For interior access, you'll need to check their Instagram (@elsewherestudiospaonia) or newsletter for upcoming event dates.
Is Elsewhere Studios wheelchair accessible?
No. Due to the age of the hundred-year-old house and its hand-built ladder lofts and narrow pathways, the interior cannot accommodate wheelchairs.
Where should I park when visiting?
Street parking around 3rd Street and Grand Avenue in downtown Paonia is simple and easy to find.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · colorado.com · transartists.org
last checked: 2026-06-11