Space to Create

Studio offers place for recording, photos, events

By RACHEL STRICKLAND | Photos courtesy of TONI RINGGOLD

Creatives in the Central Texas area now have a place to call home thanks to Space Create Interactive Studios, a state-of-the-art space for podcasters, musical artists and entrepreneurs who are ready to kickstart their creative journey.

Toni Ringgold, founder of Space Create Studios, is a full-time vocal coach and piano teacher. Originally from Austin, she’s a singer-songwriter and actress who came to the Temple/Killeen area when she received a music education scholarship for Temple College.

Ringgold’s musical journey started when she was 7 years old and singing in church. After growing up, getting married, and having kids, she planned to go into the medical field. However, this all changed when she came across an advertisement for auditions for a music education scholarship. A teacher from Ringgold’s childhood once told her that her voice would pay her bills one day, and she never forgot that. And so, she went to the audition and received a full scholarship to Temple College’s music program, which then lead her to finish her degree at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.

In 2013, Ringgold started her own music academy, Toni Ringgold Academy of Arts, where she taught piano and voice lessons, but when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, she began to teach virtually. It was at this time when she applied for the city of Killeen’s COVID Small Business Relief Program, and she was one of the recipients of the large grant. Because of this, she was able to launch Space Create Interactive Studios, which she is over-the-moon excited about.

Space Create is a unique hub that provides the multimedia needs for creatives of all types to make their dreams a reality. Ringgold says that with the nearly $40,000 worth of state-of-the-art equipment, the place is perfect for music recording, podcasting and even filmmaking. “The recording studio itself is amazing,” she says. “It’s going to offer true, professional, state-of-the-art quality that doesn’t sound like you’re in your bathroom trying to record an album.” Ringgold says that all too often, what holds people back is they just don’t have the funds to purchase their own equipment, but at Space Create, they can use the facility’s equipment.

Ringgold says that Killeen has a few businesses that encompass different parts of Space Create, but there are none that do it all. “There are a lot of truly talented and gifted individuals that just need a place where they can create,” she says. “I’m literally living the dream right now. I’m doing what I absolutely love, and I just want people to know that they can do the same.”

Space Create is over 3,000 square feet and encompasses two standalone buildings. One building has two suites in it, and the other is a venue all on its own where people can host small events. Ringgold has also started something called the Creative Court in the parking lot of Space Create Studios, which is where she will host events for creatives to set up shop and sell things that they’ve made. “[Space Create] really is the answer for a lot of creatives who just don’t have a place that they can call home,” she says.

“One of the biggest things for me is to plant those seeds of creativity within each person that comes through the door, whether they’re a child or an adult,” she says. “I think that it’s important for people to understand that the fine arts are important, creativity is important, you are important, and you have something to contribute to this world.”

IF YOU GO
Space Create Interactive Studios
207 W Avenue D, Killeen
www.spacecreate.org
254-317-2450
Text “create” to 833-591-3029