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The Valley’s newest arts space, Match Factory, will make its debut this Friday, May 13 at 6 p.m. with an opening preview featuring small, abstract paintings by Sheboygan Falls-based artist Sara Willadsen.

Match Factory is located at 116 W. Main Street in Hortonville, formerly Patti’s Place diner, next to Otter Creek Sports Bar & Grill.

Side rooms will be used for workshops, additional displays and hang out spots.

“We’re challenging the status quo by choosing to present art and events in a rural village rather than a city center, where one usually expects to find art galleries,” says Match Factory Curator and Co-founder Kate Mothes. “We’re interested in attracting visitors to Main Street, whether it’s to enjoy artwork or to stop for a hamburger, so we thought it would be really fun, and in the spirit of a small Wisconsin town, to connect the art space to the bar [at Otter Creek].”

Mothes partnered with Horntonville-based artist Claire Abitz to launch Match Factory as a contemporary arts and project space that will exhibit work by both emerging and established artists whether it’s paintings, sculpture, or large-scale installations made specifically for the space.

The May 13 preview is an opportunity for visitors to see the space still in transition and get a peek at what the space looks like before it’s completed.

“It has been used as a diner since at least the 1930s, so we want to be able to share it as a work in progress, especially with community members who remember spending a lot of time here over the years,” Mothes says.

Mothes says Match Factory is intended as a multi-use space for exhibitions, workshops, meetings, small parties and special events such as a film series starting on May 18 at 7 p.m. with the 1983 hip hop film “Wild Style.” A different film will be presented each Wednesday through June 8. A number of workshops and events are being planned throughout the summer including the first major exhibition by Madison-based artist Matthew Bakkom which opens on Friday, June 24.

Wallpaper details discovered during renovations.

The opening preview entitled “All the pieces put back together” will also feature a one-night-only multimedia projection piece by Appleton-based artistic duo Cyber Bullies, consisting of musicians Ryley Crowe and Slow Normals. Food and drink from Otter Creek Sports Bar & Grill will be available.

The event is free, as most future events at Match Factory will be. Donations are always appreciated and help sustain Match Factory exhibitions and projects.

More information at thematchfactory.org. Photos from Instagram @matchfactoryhortonville