Getting C RAFTY Local family businesses help art scene thrive

By Melissa Rubalcaba Riske

From paints to pottery, plants and home décor are just a few of the creations that can be made with a little help from some incredible teachers and staff ready to help all ages create something beautiful. Behind every easel, pottery plate and decorative board is a family business supporting their love of art and to seeing others gain joy and satisfaction with each completed project.

Each of these locations has programming for children and adults and welcomes private events such as parties and group outings. Be sure to check the website and calendars to see what’s happening and if advance registration required.

The Petite Palette, Sandwich petitepalette.studio

After graduating from the Illinois Institute of Art Chicago, Michelle Shepard taught in a school with students ranging in age from preschool to seniors in high school. She loved teaching and thought she could provide more to the greater community.

“I thought why not create an art school for everyone,” Shepard said.

She launched The Petite Palette featuring art classes in every medium, from painting to graphic design. There are single classes, weekly and month classes as well as special programming in the summer months. She offers private lessons, where students who range in age from young children through adults who’ve retired can work one-on-one and learn how to paint, draw and more.

With gentle encouragement, she helps her students see that everyone has artistic ability and with practice and instruction, they can overcome fears and doubts and discover their inner artistic side.

Studio 60 Art Center, Oswego studio60art.com

Gayle Faber loved taking art classes at Waubonsee Community College and College of DuPage as her own creative outlet. When she decided she needed a break from her teaching career, she decided to launch herself into the arts and created Studio 60 Art Center. The center’s calendar offers a variety of classes from pottery to painting, including Sip and Paint classes for adults.

She’s watched as her weekly lessons have evolved into wonderful gatherings where friendships are built around the easels and even after a session has ended, the participants aren’t quite ready to pack up. She’s added to the calendar drop-in sessions where people can work on projects and enjoy the company of others and she added, there’s often some potluck style food to be enjoyed as well.

“My dream here is to create a community. People have lost this and it’s wonderful to see so many people are finding their people here.”

This spring she’s introducing more textile arts and has an instructor lined up to teach quilting. Her son, Ryan, builds each of the looms that participants use for the class and they can keep when the class ends. Students will likely see her husband, Norm, tackling some work around the center or in the pottery studio.

In the summer months she invites people to her home for outdoor classes next to her pond and said people really enjoy the experience of painting in the outdoors or checking out her barn where the chickens putter around.

Faber also serves as the secretary for the Kendall Arts Guild, which meets monthly at the Yorkville Public Library and is a part of community art projects as well as scholarships for local students.

“It’s really a great way for people to get involved,” she added.

Blooming Succulents Studio, Oswego bloomingsucculents.com

For those who don’t feel confident in their green thumb step right into Blooming Succulents Studio in downtown Oswego and meet owner Markita Young. Succulents are small, hardy plants that will look adorable, even if you neglect to water them for days at a time.

She and her husband, Quinton, opened their shop in a historic building in downtown Oswego in November and have been overjoyed at the community’s warm welcome. Markita, a busy mom of five, which includes two sets of young twins, used to sneak off to the garage after bedtime for her own creative outlet. Her husband encouraged her to take her love for art and talents and create her own business.

One of the aspects she loves is how playing in the dirt is an incredible sensory activity, especially for children with special needs, something Markita understands well.

“Playing in the dirt is so therapeutic for adults and children,” she said.

Clients can make terrariums, paint ceramic pots for their succulents or try other creative activities offered on the studio’s online calendar. She’s even shared her artistic talents to help people craft centerpieces for weddings and special events, as favors or hosted parties for scouts and adults. She loves how the shop is resonating with men and women, and all ages from young children through those old enough to be great-grandparents.

Board & Brush Creative Studio, Oswego boardandbrush.com/oswego

Art projects should be individualized, that’s part of the philosophy Katie and Mike Ilic use at Board & Brush Oswego.

Katie, a former high school teacher, and Mike, a former senior manager with Accenture, dove into their business hosting group events where individuals create oneof-a-kind signs and projects using stencils, paints and plenty of creativity.

“No artistic ability required,” Katie said. “That’s why kids really love this because every project looks amazing.”

Located inside a vintage home in downtown Oswego, the couple love being a part of the busy downtown. They’ve been excited by the success of their Oswego location they were able to launch additional locations in St. Charles, Downers Grove and this summer they’ll open a fourth location in Naperville.

“One of the nicest parts of being a familyrun business is we can put a lot of love and care into our business,” Katie said.

Arts On Fire, Plano artsonfireplano.com

Every piece is unique at the Arts on Fire studio which features Paint Your Own Pottery classes as well as other classes using a pottery wheel and hand-building pottery as well. Owner Kelly Browning enjoyed making items and selling in craft shows and online and in 2015 decided to launch her own business helping others discover the fun and beauty of pottery.

Some guests enjoy the fun of selecting a piece and painting while others enjoy getting their hands messy and learning how to turn clay into a piece of art. Browning said the interest in pottery is growing.

Sometimes the studio even gets wild, like when the class includes a visit from a sloth or other animals.