Port Colborne’s Summerhayes Studios — The Art Guild the recipient of $10000 My Main Street grant

Sometimes those wild ideas you have come to fruition.

That has happened for Chris Summerhayes, Jenny Walker and Karen Bonisteel, the trio are the artists behind Summerhayes Studios — The Art Guild.

Summerhayes joked the space was created by “a couple of wild and crazy artists with a dream.”

All three are part of the Port Colborne Art Club.

“We were three crazy artists who wanted to start from scratch with nothing, and they gave us a good deal, so we opened in April,” said Summerhayes.

The three were talking one day, and they all agreed it would be nice to have a space of their own. They were able to make a deal with the church for use of the space.

Since then, he said, things have been going “beyond what we thought.”

“One thing Chris said in the beginning, he wanted this place to be a hub for artists,” said Bonisteel.

“We chose our name very deliberately,” noted Summerhayes.

“We’re in the guild hall, so we are the art guild, but it’s the art guild of craft and art, not arts and crafts,” he said. “I don’t distinguish.”

All together, they have around 70 students.

The classes offered are being filled and they are making a name for themselves in the community, said Summerhayes.

Summerhayes offers a drawing program. Bonisteel is the children’s co-ordinator.

Walker helps organize things behind the scenes.

The trio also hires other artists, such as a local painter who is teaching acrylics.

The three say they have plans to expand in the new year, including hiring two more teachers.

“We’ve gotten really good support from the community,” said Walker. “We’ve got terrific plans for next year.”

The studio was one of 10 businesses in Port Colborne to receive a $10,000 grant from the My Main Street Local Business Accelerator program.

The program, funded by FedDev Ontario, supports the revitalization of main street communities through nonrepayable contributions for more than 650 local businesses across southern Ontario.

The program offers free support from a dedicated paid staff person and grants to help new and existing businesses in both business communities.

Two areas of the city are eligible for the programs including the Downtown Business Improvement Area (BIA) and the Main Street BIA.

Summerhayes said used some of the grant for renovations to the space, such as removing a large bar and painting.

They also purchased some necessary equipment, including a printer and a computer.

The studio will be offering to Make and Take Wednesday Workshops in the latter part of November and early December with Sharon Skea. The workshops are for those aged 15 and up and cost $50, with all supplies included.

Email summerhayesstudios@gmail.com for registration or more information.

The Arts Guild will also be at the Friends of Roselawn Christmas Makers’ Market on Nov. 19 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. selling art.

For more information on Summerhayes Studies — The Art Guild, visit their Facebook page.

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