The Creation Station Reopens in New Downtown Location
Amid the season’s cold temperatures and snow comes a tropical environment where one can relax, create and have some fun. But families won’t have to book a flight to the tropics to experience this kind of environment; they can simply visit the Creation Station.
This arts and crafts studio catering to people of all ages and backgrounds reopened its doors at a new location on 10 Seminary Avenue. As owner Maria Fleischman explained, she first opened the studio in April 2007 at an Osborne Street space across from Wegmans. Water damage from a dilapidated roof dissuaded her from re-signing her lease about a year later, and she spent the next several months searching for a new home for business that she could own. When she couldn’t find one, Fleischman chose to lease the Seminary Avenue space.
“During the process of finding a new space, I began receiving so many phone calls and emails from people begging me to bring the Creation Station back. It was a very good feeling to know how much the people in this town truly appreciate it,” Fleischman said.
Fleischman said the new studio space will still encapsulate the same tropical atmosphere of the previous space. “I am a native of Brazil,” Fleischman said. “I love the elements of tropical colors and the atmosphere of an ocean setting; it is very relaxing and quite inspiring.”
However, most important to Fleischman is the fact that the new studio will be completely accessible to people with disabilities. “It was very important to me that this space was accommodating to everyone,” she said.
Fleischman is well-known throughout the community for teaching arts and crafts to adults with disabilities. She began teaching lessons at her previous studio, and was then contacted by Cayuga Community College to teach arts and crafts there — “a wonderful experience,” Fleischman said.
Although Fleischman no longer holds classes for adults with disabilities at CCC, she does find the time to teach lessons at the Gavras Center, the Seneca Cayuga ARC, and group homes.
“I just love seeing people create things that they can use or give away as gifts, like wooden boxes they have painted or silk paintings they can use as scarves or beach wraps,” Fleischman said.
Fleishman said there will be more classes offered at the new Creation Station location. “One of the classes I am looking very forward to is Ladies Night, which I plan to hold either on Wednesday or Thursday evenings. I am so excited about this that I won’t even be teaching the classes, I will be part of the class,” she said. “It’s not structured at all,” said Fleischman. “It’s just a way to relax, enjoy an evening with women and create.”
With the exception of Ladies Night, the Creation Station is open to the public of all ages. “We welcome all ages from 3 years old and up. I have local artists come in and teach classes such as drawing and cartooning, which is something teenagers really enjoy,” Fleischman said.
Birthday parties were another popular attraction at the old location, and Fleischman expects “this new space will welcome that just as much.
“The former Creation Station was a wonderful recipe that worked,” Fleischman said. “I expect the same will be said for its new location.”
- Anora Nervina, Special to The Citizen
For more information call 315.406-3270 or visit www.tropicalartsandcrafts.com. Read more: http://auburnpub.com/lifestyles/creativity-has-a-new-home/article_ad5f64e4-3d89-11e1-ac28-0019bb2963f4.html
