When Cassie Chantel walked into Rabbit Hole Studios last week to unlock her office door, she was carrying an acoustic guitar in her other hand. The fact that an award-winning Athens hip-hop artist had the inspiration and support to experiment with their sound speaks to the transformative effect the studio has had on members of the local scene.

Rabbit Hole will celebrate its fifth anniversary with a free night of karaoke and roller skating on Saturday from 7 p.m. to midnight. Food and beverages will be provided, and the studio will hold a free raffle for 30 hours of rehearsal and recording time for bands in attendance. Co-working space members, like Chantel, will continue to have 24/7 access.

Founded by Athens resident Nick Bradfield in 2017, Rabbit Hole began life as Bradfield's home recording studio and has expanded over the past five years into a fully-functional maker space at 1001 Winterville Road that includes indoor and outdoor concert stages, rehearsal and recording rooms, a clothing shop and an urban farm.

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"Artists often exist in a void or vacuum without a community," Bradfield told the Banner-Herald. "I've discovered and learned so many new artistic mediums through my leadership role (at the studio), and I'm continually inspired by just making sure everything here is efficient, safe, inviting and clean."

Bradfield moved to Athens from Wisconsin in 2008 when his mother got a job working at the University of Georgia and decided to make the city his home after becoming involved with the local music scene. Unable to sustain himself as a career musician, Bradfield taught himself how to use recording equipment and got into live engineering, where he earned money doing sound for festivals. Bradfield ran Creature Comforts' summer music program for three years.

At first, Rabbit Hole Studios operated out of Chase Park Warehouses, renting out equipment and providing recording and rehearsal space before expanding to a location on Commerce Road. But Bradfield's dream was realized when the former AMVETS headquarters on Winterville Road became available.

With a staff that includes manager Victoria Austin and tech handyperson Sean T. Conlon, Rabbit Hole has grown exponentially over the past two years. Austin told the Banner-Herald that Bradfield was an inspiring person and a great example of someone who was able to turn a passion into something that can be shared with others.

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With its free workshops, open-invitation Full Moon Jams and weekly downtown Athens drum circles, Rabbit Hole has grown into a presence that hasn't just attracted and gained help from time-honored members of the local artistic community. It stands as a reminder of the Athens that could support and sustain artists that might one day see their name on the Athens Music Walk of Fame.

"I'm definitely not the same Cassie as when I moved in (to Rabbit Hole Studios)," Chantel told the Banner-Herald. "This place is like a melting pot like of different genres and different styles of artists and musicians. I'm exploring music theory and getting more versed in the history of music. I'm taking some time to reshape my craft."

For additional information, visit rabbitholestudios.org.