Check Out Jonathan Hanst’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jonathan Hanst.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My wife and I bought a small house in Lafayette for me to operate my recording studio out of in 2010. A few years later, I began to make art based on images found on old LP records. I found the art process so stimulating and exciting that my studio became a hybrid of sound and visual creativity. I call it my Creative Clubhouse.

The lot on which this small house sits is pretty large, so I began to dream about a space that other artists could come and create every day. I know many creative people have to shoehorn their art into the garage or spare bedroom. I imagined a place where the rent would be reasonable and people who were motivated to make art every day would have a home. I knew this place would be a nonprofit from the start; my wife and I would cover the investment we put into building the structure, but above and beyond that, all proceeds would go to making more magic and art and encouraging folks in our community to plug into their creative jam.

I decided to call this dream “Kaleidoscope”… always shining and changing… and beautiful from every angle.

It took me and a slew of people over two years to bring it into the world, but we are welcoming artists beginning August 1st!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has been a journey! Like any adventure, there have been victories, celebrations, frustrations and letdowns. I’m not sure how or if my plans would have changed had I known what a challenge this project would present sometimes. But it’s a labor of love and I know that the seeds that have been planted over the past two years will bring a harvest of a LOT of fun, joy, peace and creativity.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have always been a creative person, and for a long time, I funneled that energy into radio. I was the Creative Services Director for KBCO in Boulder from 1995-2005. I wrote and produced promos for KBCO Studio C, Kinetics, our contests, as well as all the audio branding for the station. During my tenure at ‘BCO, I started doing voiceovers professionally, which was a lot of fun, so in 2006, I left my job and began doing voiceovers full time. People might recognize me as the voice of Sirius/XM’s “70s on 7.” I’ve also done a lot of voice and production work for the Grand Theft Auto video game series.

Even though doing VO is great, it also feels somewhat one-dimensional for me, so in 2014 I started dabbling in visual art. I found that manipulating images on my computer wasn’t too different from manipulating sound. It started as a hobby, then a side hustle. I decided to call it HiFi Jones. My art reflects my love of music, pop culture, vinyl records and stereophonic bliss.

Kaleidoscope is what I feel most proud of, even though we haven’t even begun to see the wonderful things it will create! It is a perfect blend of my passion and a way to be of service. I want people to come participate! Being creative is such a joyful and calming process. Scientific studies are proving over and over again that being in the creative zone is good for mental health. I think after all we’ve been through in the last two years, few people could deny that we need more art, love, creativity and connection in the world. I want Kaleidoscope to be a place for all of that.

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
Oh my goodness, this is a great question. I’m a strong believer in serendipity and cosmic forces being at work all the time. The more we can focus on our intentions and goals, the more that “luck” will show up. That said, I also know that I’m in a place of privilege; I’ve had many things going for me like a stable home growing up, parents who loved me and the ability to explore what I wanted to do for a living.

Most of the time, with bad luck, there is something else at play. Something else needed to happen. That’s certainly not the easiest pill to swallow all the time, but I try to keep it in mind.

Pricing:

• $25 Introduce yourself to Kaleidoscope with a day pass to our courtyard and common area atrium.
• $60 Come spend the day in the retreat room at Kaleidoscope
• $75 Live out your DJ Dreams by taking over Kaleidoscope’s streaming radio station for 3 hours.
• $250 Ensure you get Creative Time with a 5-day punch card to our Retreat Room.
• $350 Treat yourself (or someone else) to a Kaleidoscope Season Pass for six months of creative opportunity.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kscope.studio
• Instagram: instagram.com/kscope.studio
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JonathanHanst
• Other: hifijones.com