The Studio is Changing

You can call it whatever you want: a growth spurt, coming of age, puberty. The fact of the matter is, the studio is going through changes (cue the Big Mouth theme song). Much like all of us when we entered into those awkward years of teenage growth, the essence of the studio will remain unchanged, but it’s voice got a bit deeper and it’s feeling more grown up.

So, what’s new?

As we prepare to welcome in the new season of spring, the studio continues to ripen with age. We are ushering in a new era of the studio, and boy does it feel good! After reevaluating the needs of the studio and the community it serves, a couple of changes had to come into play.

For starters, we’ve completely renovated the space. Taking inspiration from “Never too Small” we’ve made it our goal to maximize every centimeter of our little studio. We’ve brainstormed and got creative with the small budget we had to create a studio environment that is functional and cozy. After the last couple of weeks of hard work, cleaning, building, drilling, and organizing, I can only state how proud I am of the progress we’ve managed to make. True magic can only happen when you join forces, and I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish any of this if it weren’t for the studio community, stepping up to help create a space that serves us all better.

It was actually the conceptual change of the studio’s offering that has sparked this physical changing of the space. In 2023, the studio filled up with members, reaching it’s maximum of 30 members in late September. When we reached the end of the year, it was obvious that there was too much pressure on the tiny studio space, and something had to give. Therefore, the studio’s membership offering has been adjusted to make sure it’s sustainable for the space and for the community.

Tell me about this new membership!

The studio community had to reduce it’s membership limit (formerly 30) to 14 members, but it’s deeper than that. We’ve reconceptualized what membership at the studio will look like, making sure we learn from the past year. We’ve managed to increase the overall value of the membership, giving members more autonomy, time and space at the studio than ever before. The reduction in studio population means a more intentional offering and a tighter knit community of creators who share in studio responsibilities. It also means that members now have their own designated shelves, and freedom to create in a way that suits them.

I couldn’t be more proud of this new offering, I feel that it’s really going to take the studio to the next level. Membership at the studio is currently sold out, but there is a new waiting list for those who are interested! Check this page out for more details.

Always in evolution

As the studio continues to live, breathe and grow, it also continues to evolve each day. As much as I couldn’t be more proud of the changes we have made as a community, for the community, I also know that this journey is never finished. It’s the mission of the studio to always be adapting and evolving to better serve it’s community.

This new change also means that members are becoming the focal point of the studio’s priority. It’s shifting into a community run and organized space, meaning there will be less time available for supervised studio time (drop-ins). That being said, drop-ins will still be available for certain days/times of the week and we’re making sure to keep our calendar stocked full of workshops to make it possible for outside creators to enjoy the space. Check out our workshop calendar to join us for some creative fun at the studio!

A final note of gratitude

I wanted to close this exciting blog post with a note of my humble gratitude. I’ve been amazed by the outpouring of love and support from the studio community over the past couple of weeks. The transformation of the studio was definitely a group effort, and every single person who helped out was a crucial part to the whole. I am so proud of all that we were able to accomplish, together.

All my love and thanks,

Sam

The crew hard at work during studio renovations!