Dayton Creative Co-op Grand Opening
Jessica Griffin hopes to encourage hobbyists with her new art studio
April 4, 2019
DAYTON-There's something new brewing behind the Village Shoppes on Main Street. Enthusiastic artist Jessica Griffin is opening the Dayton Creative Co-op, a mixed-use art studio with community at its core.
"It's something I've been wanting to do for a really long time and I finally got the nerve to go through with it," Griffin said. The co-op's grand opening is all day Thurs., April 4 (10:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.) and will feature cake and two giveaways.
Of the giveaways, a denim jacket, complete with custom patches made personally by Griffin, is the prize du jour. The open house is the perfect time to have a look at the tools available in the shop.
The space will host a plethora of classes that, for now, range from belly dancing to quilting. Griffin plans to expand the co-op's catalogue to more than just sewing.
"Quilting, at first, because that's what I offer and what mom offers, but there's a mortgage broker who wants to do a free presentation here discussing balancing a checkbook and what to look for with mortgages," Griffin said.
"There's also Suzie Tasker, who is a nutritional therapist, hosting Tasker's Restart program here," she added.
Students are schooled in the basics of nutrition and are given learning materials in a binder with a cookbook for recipe ideas. Following the class, students are offered five weeks of personal mentoring.
Creators of all kinds can appreciate Griffin's workshop days which occur Fridays from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. For $5 per hour patrons can receive guidance with quilting or art in general and are welcome to make use of the resources in the space, including sewing machines, ironing boards, tables, a felt wall and a coffee pot.
Jessica and her mother Aimee Griffin are the co-op's greatest assets. They write their own patterns and provide students with a hard copy in addition to their finished work. Their curriculum has been tailored to every type of quilt student with information disseminated in several ways.
"Sometimes people aren't sure they would even enjoy a hobby. This is a way to try it without investing so much money," Aimee said pragmatically.
In the placemat class, students learn and practice individual skills.
"I get people who say they want to learn how to quilt but all in one day," Griffin said.
"Mom and I came up with this pattern that's a mini quilt. You learn how to cut, piece, baste, quilt and bind. The whole nine yards."
The April Rag Quilt class is a great introduction to fiber arts for beginners. Then there is quilt academy for people who know the basics but might need a refresher.
The co-op is open to suggestions as well.
"We're hoping that with the open house we'll have people who have ideas or who are teachers of some sort that will add to our calendar as well," Aimee said.
Though born in California, Griffin considers herself to be "from a little bit everywhere." She and her fiance, Taylor, moved from Denver this past August and are thrilled to put down roots in Dayton.
"My dad is the IT manager for Columbia Pulp and Taylor is his assistant," she said.
"I want to promote community and creativity but also self-awareness and awareness of others. That's kind of my mission statement," shares Griffin. "I want people to know that we can all help ourselves and each other."
Help yourself to cake and maybe a new hobby at Thursday's grand opening.
Upcoming Classes
Quilt Academy: Borders
April 10 6-9 $20
Straight borders versus mitered borders
Quilt Academy: Basting
April 17 6-9 $20
Basting is the process of taking the top, batting, and backing and sandwiching it together using spray adhesive and curved pins.
Quilt Academy: Binding
April 24 6-9 $20
Cross grain versus bias binding manually and with a machine
Workshop Days: Fridays 11-4 $5/hr
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