5 Moments That Shaped 2025 at That Creative Space
When I opened That Creative Space in Beacon, NY in September, I didn’t have a full picture of what the studio would become. I had an intention—to create a welcoming place for people to explore creativity without pressure—but the rest unfolded through experience.
Looking back on 2025, a handful of moments stand out. Not because they were the biggest or loudest, but because they quietly shaped the studio’s direction, values, and community.
Here are five moments that shaped our first year.
1. Opening the Studio
Opening the doors was both exciting and grounding. After months of planning, searching for the right space, and imagining what could be, the studio finally became real.
What surprised me most was learning that there wasn’t just room for a creative studio in Beacon—people were finding us from surrounding towns, and even as far away as New York City and Albany. By the time we held our open house, the dedicated studio spaces were already full, and a waiting list had started.
That early response confirmed that what we were building wasn’t only meeting a local need, but tapping into a wider desire for intentional, in-person creative space
2. Selling Out Our First Workshops
Selling out our first two workshops—Classic Drawing and Felt Ornaments—was an early moment of affirmation.
At the same time, I quickly learned how ambitious our first season was. We launched the fall with nearly 25 workshops, and while 12 ran successfully, the experience taught me a lot about seasonality. Fall in the Hudson Valley is full—local events, apple picking, outdoor family activities, and packed school calendars all affect attendance.
That insight has been important. We’re actively rethinking how we plan seasonal programming for kids and families, and whether certain times of year are better suited to focusing more heavily on adult workshops. It’s been a valuable lesson in pacing and listening to the rhythms of the community.
3. The Holiday Market
The holiday market was one of those moments where the studio felt fully aligned with its purpose.
Being able to offer people a space to sell their work—some for the very first time—was exactly what I had hoped the studio could do. Seeing makers set up, connect with visitors, and share what they create reminded me that creative spaces can be powerful platforms, not just classrooms.
4. Community Events: Small but Meaningful
Our community events began simply: a Collage Party, Bring Your Own Craft nights, Show & Share gatherings, and eventually the holiday market.
New people discovered the studio through these events—even when they were small. Sometimes very small. (Two people showed up to our first BYOC.) And yet, those evenings still felt meaningful. Conversations happened. Connections formed. Familiar faces returned.
Slowly, these moments are shaping how the studio can serve as a third space—a place people can come not just to take a class, but to feel part of something more.
5. Teaching Artists Who Shape the Studio
Without our teaching artists, That Creative Space wouldn’t be what it is.
Our teaching artists came from Beacon, Ellenville, Warwick, Brooklyn, and Queens, each bringing their own voice, practice, and way of working into the studio. Their generosity and care helped shape a space that extends beyond any single discipline.
From drawing and painting to cozy crafts and wellness-based creativity, the studio reflects many ways people like to make. We’re not interested in being defined by labels. The goal has always been to create a studio for all—for artists, dabblers, beginners, and anyone curious enough to try.