(Is it an Outhouse?, a Privy?, or a Garden Shed?)

In 2008, a group of individuals who are accustomed to working alone collaborated on a project guaranteed to amuse and delight.

What began as a practical discussion for providing comfort stations to the growing number of rural adventurers seeking fine and unique handmade craft in the hills of Colrain, turned into a high-spirited brainstorm that culminated in the creation of three versions of that old relic of rural living - the outhouse, the backhouse, the privy.

Using their collective creative license Colrain artists have designed built and decorated three "privies." Although all have the requisite seats inside, they are built to function as small garden sheds and will provide a delightful focal point to a yard or garden.

While other cities and towns have their artist-decorated moose or cows, sheep or pigs, Colrain's artists wanted to create something more suited to the human landscape.

The Arthouse project was a collaborative effort of the Colrain Artisans to raise funds for the Griswold Memorial Library, the Colrain Business Association Scholarship Fund, and other Colrain causes.

The art project last year resulted in the sale of the "Coneflowers and Chicks" arthouse. In September 2009, the "Sunflowers to the Sky" arthouse was sold. "The Potty Shed" was sold in 2010.