Kate Cutko has a love of art and fondness for
Airstream trailers, those iconic, silver, bullet shaped travel trailers. She is working on a project that will combine the two — the Atomic Classroom, a mobile art classroom.
The idea first developed while pulling into a friend’s driveway, when a 1963 Airstream trailer caught Cutko’s eye. She said the friend told her it had been sitting there since the ’80s, as a place to stay while he was building his house. She convinced her friend to sell it to her, she believes, because she had a great idea to keep it in use.
There is still plenty of work to be done before classes can begin in the Atomic Classroom, but Cutko is slowly chipping away. She’s working with Jim Roy, whose business, Silver Moose Restorations, specializes in vintage camper restorations. The needed repairs on the trailer included the frame restoration, electrical work, flooring, and heating and cooling systems.
The plan is to have the renovated Airstream classroom up and running in about a year. For now, the trailer is stored in a workshop at Long Branch School in Bowdoinham. Once enough repairs are made, Cutko hopes to start running arts and craft classes for Long Branch at the trailer’s current location.
She credits a class she took for free from New Ventures Maine for helping cultivate her idea. The focus of the class, called Venturing Forth, was about learning how to get a small business started. The 12-week course helped give her idea direction.
“It was really helpful to get a business plan together,” said Cutko. “I felt lucky to just be a part of it.”
Cutko raised money through contributions on the website Indiegogo. She said she may start selling some of the campaign perks, such as mugs or a T-shirt, to raise additional funds. She is active on the Atomic Classroom’s Facebook page with updates on the ’63 Airstream’s progress. Cutko is active in the renovation process, while also working as a library director in Bowdoinham and social worker.
When the work is done, her goal is simple. Cutko hopes to bring an art studio, offering various arts and craft classes to eager students. Her plan is to travel mostly around Bowdoinham, but said she could see going to other parts of Maine where the state’s natural beauty and art could mix. She mentioned outdoor art events and festivals where her Airstream could be an attraction.
“Wherever there’s an opportunity for people to gather,” Cutko said. “I think my trailer would be perfect at an event like that.”
For more information on the trailer’s progress, visit the Atomic Classroom Facebook page.
chris@timesrecord.com
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