By Page H. Gifford
Correspondent
Sweet Art Emporium ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Aug. 10 to celebrate the opening of their expanded store and an area to accommodate pottery classes. Adding the pottery classes has been something community members have longed for and something owner Erika Mitchell was considering.
Sweet Art Emporium opened in February of 2019 in Palmyra as a gift shop to sell the work of local artists. They opened with nine artists but within three years quadrupled in square footage and supported 70 local artists.
In 2022, Sweet Art Emporium converted a small shop area to paint pottery and teach art classes. They moved to their current location on Turkeysag Trail in 2023, again expanding in size.
“Up until the move, I had covered all of the hours myself, but it became apparent after one holiday season that I was going to need to be open seven days a week and I wasn’t going to be able to handle all of those hours by myself,” said Mitchell. In April, she began the process of becoming an employer. “In May of this year, the unit next door was suddenly vacated, and I was given just five days to consider whether we could support an entire additional unit.”
She knew that those interested in ceramics and pottery were unable to find classes in the area.
“Community members had asked me if I would ever offer pottery, wheel throwing, and hand-building classes. My answer was always, “It’s too messy to have in an art shop it was also clear that we needed more space for classes and pottery painting. So I took a huge leap and signed the lease.” After signing the lease, Mitchell knocked through a wall, hired three community members to help her and she says “hit the ground running.”
They are currently offering 8-week wheel throwing classes, 8-week hand-building classes, pottery studio memberships, classes in painting, felting, crochet, peg dolls, sculpture, jewelry, 1-day workshops, and daily drop-in pottery painting.
The jobs created by the expansion included two retail associates and one kiln assistant.
“They are less than part-time positions, but all are 100 percent necessary to the success of the shop. When you support a local business, you create jobs for your neighbors.”
Mitchell’s expansion of the shop would seem like an ambitious undertaking but she fills a need for the community and artists who want to explore other mediums and interests. The business not only showcases the work of local artists but can be a destination for anyone who wants to test their interest and try a new hobby.
Lenai Banks and Michelle Aquillino are the new retail associates. About 50 people attended the opening.
