TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) – There’s a fantastic art studio in Maumee where you can create your own pieces, learn a new craft and support other local artists. Sunshine Studios sits at the corner of Conant and Wayne Streets in Maumee.
It’s described as a place that advances the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities through art.
The studio is part of Sunshine Communities, a non-profit organization that has supported people with developmental disabilities for 75 years. Those involved, say what happens at Sunshine Studios is magical.
“Sunshine Studios builds relationships and community in a way I’ve never seen before. It’s a lot bigger than coming in for a class or coming in to buy a gift for someone. You know when you come here, you’re part of someone’s story,” Mallory Crooks, the director of marketing and communications for Sunshine Communities, said.
And the stories here revolve around the importance of inclusion and community.
“It’s nice having so many artists come through the space. It’s a good place for artists to swap ideas. Everybody has their own style and skill level,” Marilyn Yakumithis, the manager of Sunshine Studios, said.
And if you’re in the market for art, Yakumithis said there’s a lot to choose from in the store.
“We carry items that the artists at Sunshine make. We also feature works from local artists. We have quite a few on commission. There are a lot of mediums and it’s a great place to get gifts that are locally made,” Yakumithis said.
Yakumithis adds that there are also plenty of classes offered here.
“Most classes are all age-friendly. There are instructors who walk you through it step by step. We change our calendar monthly. There are certain classes that are popular, and we have them year-round and we also coordinate our classes seasonally,” Yakumithis said.
Melissa Jender is an artist at Sunshine Studios. She loves everything about working in this space, but she does have a favorite when it comes to the classes here.
“The garden flower class is our most popular class. A lot of people enjoy making them. It’s a class we have all year round. Working with clay is very soothing. It’s peaceful. Sometimes we get a new person who really hasn’t done clay and by the end of the class they’re like, ‘I enjoyed that. When is the next class?’” Jender said.
Yakumithis said Sunshine Studios also has a community component to it through an open studio.
“It’s a nice space for anybody seeking an artistic community and anyone who doesn’t have the tools and equipment available to them,” Yakumithis said.
Sunshine Studios is open six days a week. In addition to taking classes, you can also rent the space for parties or events. And while you’re there, there are plenty of other shops to explore in the area. That includes Georgette’s Grounds and Gifts, a coffee shop that is also run by Sunshine Communities.
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This article was published by WTVG on 2025-02-14 17:09:00
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