Auditorium
The lofty, maple-floored auditorium serves as a venue for art exhibitions, conferences, dances, and yoga classes; its raised indoor-outdoor stage hosts concerts, live theater and dance performances. Other buildings house classroom spaces for art workshops. Rough classroom space is also available to rent as additional studio space.
Clay Studio & Woodshop
The former manual arts building now houses a well equipped wood shop and clay studio. The Clay Studio is open to the whole community free to see. Anyone interested is urged to contact Karen who oversees the Clay Studio, and receive an orientation. Those using the studio purchase their own clay and pay a modest fee for the use of glazes and to have their work fired. The clay studio operates successfully on an honor system. The Wood Shop, coordinated by Micah, is also open to the whole community, however anyone wanting to use the shop must first take a workshop on safe operation of the power tools, agree to abide by shop rules, sign a waiver, and pay a small user fee. Call ISDA at 520-387-6823 for
contact information.
Library
The original library on the second floor of the main building is used as a resident and resident-sponsored meeting/gathering place.
Sonoran Desert Conference Center
The Conference Center has four large multipurpose meeting rooms, a commercial catering kitchen, beautiful courtyard dining area, access to an adjacent indoor/outdoor performance venue and auditorium, clay studio, woodworking shop, gardens, and ample outdoor workspace. The Conference Center can accommodate groups from 10 to 250 for events, with space for up to 60 overnight guests.
Commercial Kitchen
The Sonoran Desert Conference Center has a full commercial kitchen outfitted with professional cooking equipment, supplies, and pantry staples. We partner with local caterers, restaurants, and home cooks to cater up to three meals a day for groups out of this kitchen. It can also be rented by Ajo residents and individual Conference Center guests interested in preparing food for events and farmers' markets; creating value-added food products; and hosting cooking workshops and demonstrations. Rental rates range from $8-20/hour, with discounts for Ajo Regional Food Partnership members and Authentically Ajo Farmers Market vendors. Please contact us at kitchen@sonorancc.com for more information and to schedule a tour!
Gardens
The gardens, orchards, and chicken coop in the courtyard spaces on the Curley Campus were created in partnership with the International Sonoran Desert Alliance's Get Going Get Growing Apprenticeship and the Ajo Center for Sustainable Agriculture.
Gallery
The Curley School resident artists have created a gallery to showcase and sale their artwork. Visit: FB Curley School Gallery and the Curley School Apartments website www.curleyschool.com to catch a glimpse of the fabulous talent that is a part of our Curley community.
