When did this journey begin?
In October 2013. I didn’t know what I wanted to do, honestly. I was a single mom. I have a degree in art education [and wanted] to use it somehow.
[Initially], we had a lot of zoning issues we had to go through. We gutted [the building] and are still refurbishing it in sections. We just started getting off the ground this year in March.
Now, it’s super sweet to be able to work with other creatives. Doing weddings makes it easier for me to let artists do things here for lower costs.
The more recognition the place gets, the more my niche gets recognized as healthy. This is my way of helping people.
What a great partnership! What all goes on at Lions & Rabbits?
We have:
- three yoga instructors
- a meditation coach
- a swing dance group (Rapid Rhythms)
- art classes for children and adults
- family days on Saturdays
- we host weddings and events (max. occupancy is 135)
Also, all art pieces that are hanging up for sale are [from] local [artists]. A lot of people don’t buy art. [They] usually don’t give a shit about art, but then they like what we have [here] and start hanging it in their offices.
Tell me about your own art career.
I paint and draw on wood. Instead of doing actual woodcutting, I’ve been doing jigsaw cutting. With my daughter, Haidyn, I do a lot of collaborative painting. [She’s] almost six.
[My dream is] I want to do murals. I want to travel and do murals. Real goals are to make the roof a botanical garden for weddings and events. I also curate other venues.
Fun fact: Hannah started hiding a stick figure in all of her art pieces. Is your family supportive?
My husband, Chris, is obviously. My dad’s a small business owner and my mom just graduated from business school. I’ve always known that art’s my jam, and they’ve always been supportive of everything I’ve done.
Keep up-to-date with all things Lions & Rabbits by liking their Facebook page and stopping in to see for yourself what’s happening in Creston. Located at 1264 Plainfield Ave., Grand Rapids, MI.
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