SEARCY, Ark. – It’s time to put the phones down and get your creative juices flowing. Searcy has so much to offer for groups and individuals to flex their creative muscles. Coming together around a creative project can strengthen relationships, instill confidence and be therapeutic for the soul. Painting, sewing, music, dance, stained glass, wood burning, furniture restoring, floral creations…there is no end to the artistic outlets available in Searcy.
Melt Art Studio
Right off of Race Street in the heart of Art Alley in downtown Searcy lies Melt Art Studio, a “contemporary DIY art place for all ages.” Whether you’re in the mood for pottery painting, creating clay pieces by hand, or mosaic painting, Melt has you covered. Wanting to get creative at home? Purchase a pottery to-go kit and bring all the artistic fun straight to your house! Looking for a fun activity to do with all your friends? Melt offers both kids and adult parties. Grab your pals and get painting!
Melt Art Studio
213 W Arch Ave Suite A, Searcy, AR 72143
Photo by: Abby Shoemaker. Melt Art Studio in downtown Searcy.
Glass from the Past
Downtown on Spring Street is a good place to start your creative crawl. Try your hand at creating a custom stained-glass masterpiece under the watchful eye of Susan Nolte, master stained-glass smith. Glass from the Past is a true treasure. Not only can you make your own designs, but you can take a class, browse her eclectic collections, or contact her for a custom project for your home, church, or office. You can lose yourself for hours gazing at all the options in this trade from years gone by.
Glass From the Past
204 N Spring St, Searcy, AR 72143
Make.Do
Also on Spring Street, you will discover the inspiration of Make.Do. This passion-mission led by Jo Ellis brings creativity and community into a center for relationships and healing. It will take you all of two seconds to fall in love with Jo’s infectious smile. This non-profit coordinates and hosts classes where you can learn sewing, quilting, watercolor, and other fantastic creative activities. Make.Do. is founded on the idea that everyone is created in the image of God, is valuable and creative. Most classes are designed for adolescent girls and adult women, but there are activities for the fellas too.
Make.Do.
121 N Spring St, Searcy, AR 72143
Whispering Wood Studios
Once you leave Make.Do., pop next door to Whispering Wood Studios, a DIY wood workshop! Transform a raw piece of wood into beautiful decor for your home. Everything is provided for you, so just book a workshop time and get your happy on! Yes, this is a fun activity to do by yourself, but you can really turn up the fun by getting together for a crafty party. Birthdays, girls’ night out, corporate team building, there’s a lot of reasons to come back over and over again.
Whispering Wood Studios
117 N Spring St, Searcy, AR 72143
AJ’s Art Studio
Head two blocks west, and you’ll find yourself in the growing arts district on Arch Avenue. Right across the street from the popular Art Alley, you will find AJ’s Art Studio. The walls are an every-changing gallery of creations from Krafty Kids classes, pet portraits, and budding local artists. Krafty Kids Art Camp is offered weekly and allows your young ones the opportunity to create masterpieces using acrylics, watercolors, pastels, pencils, recycled materials, and whatever else they can get their hands on. Audra Jones can be found sharing her love for watercolor and inspiring the next generation of talent or helping run a painting party for adults!
AJ’s Art Studio
213 W Arch Ave Suite D, Searcy, AR 72143
Pollard Studio Arts & Oddities
Once you let the paint dry at AJ’s, then it’s time to take a cruise down Race Street to Pollard Studio Arts & Oddities. What may look like just a frame shop from the outside, will bring you to meet one of the greatest artists in the area. Glen Pollard and his wife Loretta will welcome you to peruse the antiques and oddities, and you may have a few pictures and paintings you need framed…but don’t leave without asking Glen about his love for ducks. Something that may surprise you, Glen doesn’t hunt for ducks, but duck hunters do stalk him for his stunning paintings for Ducks Unlimited. The Pollards have a lot of tricks up their sleeves and talent in abundance.
Pollard Studio Arts & Oddities
1213 E Race Ave, Searcy, AR 72143
The Artistry
There are many other options for you to get artsy or crafty in Searcy, but the pinnacle of your creative crawl has to lead you to The Artistry on Main Street. This 40+ multi-booth venue serves as host to dozens of artists and makers in White County. This is a must-stop for those who lead with the right side of their brain. Handmade soaps, custom jewelry, pottery, furniture, dream catchers, metal stamping…I don’t even know where to begin. You can sign up for classes, shop for hours, or sit a spell and talk to Kathi about her love for all things creative. The Artistry is a creative co-op that literally has something for everyone.