Creations announces expansion, fundraiser
<p>The Creations crew hold up one of the donated paintings up for auction at a Thursday fundraiser. Pictured from left are Creations director Shery Meekings, volunteer Shannon Lavender, visitors Jessica McPeek and Maddie Albertson and volunteers Judy Sharples and Gloria Ross. (Photo by CAMERON RASMUSSON)</p>
SANDPOINT — There’s a lot more art in store for Creations.
The arts nonprofit is expanded to include a new boutique, which will sell pottery, jewelry, art and much more in to support Creations operations. Since the art room and art supplies are open for anyone to use entirely by donation, the boutique with be a valuable source of added revenue, according to nonprofit director Shery Meekings.
The boutique’s grand opening on Thursday will be accompanied by a fundraiser for the organization. Throughout the day, Creations will host attractions like a dessert walk, a performance by magician Star Alexander, face painting and crafts and a silent art auction filled with donations from local artists and families. It’s all happening at Creations’ downtown location in the Cedar Street Bridge, 334 North First Ave.
“This place has really morphed into its own being at this point,” Meekings said. “It’s really the softer side of urbanization.”
According to Meekings, Creations has been enthusiastically supported by the community in the past, and that’s because no other spot in town offers a spot for parents and their kids to simply drop by and make some art together. Creations volunteers are struck in particular by single or divorced dads coming by the studio and spending quality time truly engaging with their kids.
The art center is popular with more than just families, too. Teenagers often find the organization appealing thanks to the freedom and ease of access to its supplies. The art materials, which include paint, paper, crayons, markers, stamps, sequins, wood and more, are mostly donated to the organization and are free to use with an honor-system donation.
“When you get bored around town, you can just come here and make some memories,” teen Jessica McPeek said.
About 100 people usually visiting Creations between its daily hours of operation between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Thanks to all that use, it’s easy to tell which room is the art room.
“It already looks 100 years old,” Meekings said. “It’s definitely been well-used.”
Creations has already grown significantly since its debut in 2010. In addition to free art sessions and structured classes, Meekings has added a decorative sailboat in front of the entrance. It’s the beginning of a goal to turn Creations into something of a children’s museum in addition to all its other functions. Meekings and other Creations associations are aiming to add 10 interactive panels along the sailboat to increase its learning potential and are seeking sponsorships for the project.