At the Spring craft store on Stuebner Airline Road, Hancock helps children and adults discover their passion for art through painting—a relaxing activity that she believes can help bring families together.
“It is such an awesome place to see other families bond and to visit with each other,” Hancock said. “Even families at different tables are talking to each other and getting to know one another.”
Art Shop for Kids sells wood and plaster sculptures that are carved into familiar figures, such as famous Disney characters, assorted superheroes and holiday-themed figurines. Participants can paint these figures using the store’s supplies and space. There is no time limit or studio fee.
“We have everything from princesses to Batman,” Hancock said. “You name it, and I probably have it. Even for adults, I have wood and plaster pieces that are decorative.”
Art Shop for Kids also offers art lessons that help people of all ages improve their painting skills.
The business holds bimonthly art classes with both home-schooled and public school students that teach novices to paint on canvas or how to construct clay miniatures, she said.
Class lessons are often based on specific themes. During the October art classes, students learned to construct and paint pinatas while November lessons will feature pumpkin painting.
Hancock bought Art Shop for Kids, which has been located in the same space for three years, in August. Since taking over, she has instituted art classes, a Kids Night Out to complement the already popular Ladies Night Out and has added wood products to the craft store’s inventory.
Hancock said purchasing Art Shop for Kids was an opportunity to make money while doing something she is passionate about.
As a child, Hancock garnered her passion for painting from her mother, who set an example of trying different artistic activities. Becoming an artist helped her gain confidence in herself—an experience she tries to provide to the community, she said.
“I used to be a lady in the neighborhood [who] everyone would come to [her] house and paint during the summer,” she said. “The neighborhood kids would come over all summer long and do projects. To see the skills they developed is pretty cool.”
Art Shop for Kids
17425 Stuebner Airline Road, Spring
281-257-1193
www.artshopforkids.com
Hours: Wed.-Thu. 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
