iArt Studios will officially have a new owner by the end of the month. Jeanette Noone and her husband Michael are taking over the business from Sandy Fariss, who opened the studio in 2015.
Noone, who has a degree in art studio from the University of Kentucky, said she has always dreamed of having her own art shop. Her husband is a self-taught artist with a background in painting, sculpture, and graphic design.
Jeanette will be the creative director while Michael will be the operations director of iArt Studios.
“One thing that is important to us is to build community relationships,” she said. “We want to be engaged not only with our customers, but also our neighbors and the organizations and businesses that compliment our city.”
Noone also said they wanted to help boost tourism in the city.
“We want to be known as a one-stop art shop experience for all ages and all people,” she said.
Noone said they will offer open studio times, paint your own ceramics, toddler time, private lessons, camps, workshops, monthly competitions and speciality events like birthday parties as well as Uncork and Canvas.
Local artists will also have the opportunity to sell their artwork in the studio.
Some other changes include a monthly newsletter, revamping the website and creating a scholarship for high school seniors.
Noone also wants to create internships for local high school and college students to provide them an opportunity to gain experience working in an art studio business. A scholarship for high school seniors is also in the works for 2022.
“We want to see our beloved town grow and what better way to help make that happen than by improving upon a center for the arts that brings people together doing what art does — enriching the lives of its communities,” Noone said. “We share a passion for the arts and are focused on giving a place for folks to connect with others in a creative space.”
The studio is located at 603 Park Plaza Drive.
