Show your support for Sandpoint’s artistic hub
By Stacey Wynne Mueller
Located on the Cedar Street Bridge, Creations has served as an artistic community hub since 2010 and continues to attract a great number of visitors, which includes children, teens and parents, special needs, a variety of groups and clubs, and everything in between. You name the gathering; Creations has probably provided the need somehow in their welcoming space!
Six years after founder Shery Meekins launched Creations, it already had more than 30,000 people visiting it each year. This increase came along with the addition of becoming a 501c3, partnering with Experience Works (a job skill program) to host Creations’ art workshops, as well as adding supportive board members and a grant writer.
All visitors and locals can come to Creations anytime and enjoy the Drop-in Art Studio Stem Discovery Play—stocked full of every kind of crafting tool to paint and create art—between 10am to 6pm, seven days a week. The Discovery Play center is the perfect place to learn and an outlet for the young ones to expend their energy. Creations provides space for other organizations to teach youth STEM workshops, including Lake Pend Oreille Waterkeepers, Suzuki Strings Music, 4-H, and more!
For those interested in signing up for one of Creations’ wonderful workshops, like felting, you can do so at CreationsforSandpoint.org. These educational art classes are for both adults and youth through Creations’ Creative Hands Expand the Mind program.
This community hub has also generated many connections that are bridging a way for Creations to help beyond the Cedar Bridge site. Though Creations has already begun expanding into the community using its art skills, supplies and workshops to support local schools, nonprofits, foster care programs, senior and teen centers, and businesses, their next big step will be to execute their plan to build a science museum that provides hands-on learning through the help of partnering with local businesses and nonprofits. In addition, they hope to inspire other small towns to join the community gathering revolution of providing an indoor safe space for all to learn, play and create.
2022 was the first year since its inception that Creations was presented with a financial challenge, which has led them to ask for the community’s help. Due to the increase in expenditures, they are soliciting donations from all those who have come to know, use and love Creations to help offset the costs, so Creations can continue serving at the bridge downtown.
They are currently seeking 100 to 150 monthly donors (family members) at $10 to $25 per month to offset these increased expenditures. They’ve already secured 31 new family members and are hopeful others will want to join in the effort and contribute to equip Creations through its growth. Donations can be made through their website, CreationsforSandpoint.org.
Let’s come together and make another miracle happen so Creations can continue the wonderful opportunities and experiences it’s provided to the community for years to come—and keep the community smiling.