Filled with rainbow-colored displays of paints, inks, markers and the like, K.A. Artist Shop has established itself as a hub for creativity and community since it was founded 10 years ago by Kristen Ashley MacCarthy. It’s a place to not only find the tools necessary for bringing artistic visions to life, but one to discover inspiration, mentorship and camaraderie among other creatives.
A graduate of UGA’s Lamar Dodd School of Art, MacCarthy spent her early years as an artist focused primarily on paintings and drawings. After getting her heels muddy on her wedding day, she felt inspired to salvage the shoes by layering them in lace—a serendipitous event that would lead to opening an online store that received international orders. Eventually, she expanded into making intricate wedding invitations and became interested in finding a studio space.
One afternoon while joining her husband as he filmed a music video downtown, she spotted a “for rent” sign near the corner of Broad and Jackson streets. Though she had always envisioned a creative career for herself, it wasn’t until she saw the blank slate of this physical space that she began imagining its potential in serving the needs of the larger creative community.
“When I walked upstairs and stood for a moment in the sunny, second-floor space, that was the first time I thought about having anything other than a private studio,” says MacCarthy. “The funky old building had rooms with potential. At that moment I knew I needed to be there, to work there, but I still had no idea what was to come. I love to call it the dream I never knew I had, because I’m so grateful to be here.”
K.A. Artist Shop has expanded significantly since it first opened its doors. In addition to being a one-stop-shop for supplies, it’s become a popular destination for creative classes, offering art clubs and camps for kids, plus workshops in subjects like calligraphy, aqua oils, gouache and watercolor for adults. A variety of professional services, such as photography, file editing, fine art scanning and archival printing, are geared towards assisting artists in promoting and selling their work.
“I never knew that the product photography I was doing would lead to taking photos of artwork for hundreds of artists,” says MacCarthy. “I didn’t know that my wedding invitation printer would be one of several fine art printers I’d come to love. I never knew that I’d find my life’s calling helping artists make and share their work. And now, 10 years later, I realize that I never thought about the business turning 10. Now that we’re here, I feel really grateful and proud.”
In the fall of 2020, K.A. Artist Shop expanded into the neighboring space located above Jittery Joe’s, which formerly housed art galleries operated by Tif Sigfrids and Ridley Howard. The expansion doubled the shop’s square footage, allowing for a dedicated studio space for photography and printing services, as well as a second classroom sunlit by floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Broad Street.
“Physical spaces where people feel welcomed and inspired are increasingly rare,” says MacCarthy. “Brick-and-mortar shops are especially important for tactile materials like art supplies. I know that back when I was a shopper at The Loft, I loved going in and putting together an interesting color palette of various supplies across the store. Come to think of it, I do the same thing in my own store! Sometimes you just need to see something in person to be inspired.”
Adaptability has been instrumental to K.A. Artist Shop’s longevity, and responding to the wants and needs of community members has largely shaped its overall direction. The shop currently offers a full line of class kits, for example, that are customized to include everything a student will need while enrolled in specific art classes at University of Georgia or Athens Technical College. In addition to selling artwork in person, K.A. Artist Shop also spotlights collections by over a dozen artists on its website, essentially functioning as an online gallery to reach a wider audience.
MacCarthy’s goals for the upcoming year are to increase the number of artists offering work through kaartist.com and to organize more local gallery events. She also wants to expand the shop’s line of custom art supply kits and gift sets.
“Our shop has grown over the years to offer more supplies and services, but we’re still the same cheerful, creative, artist-run space as when we first opened,” says MacCarthy. “Our goal is to help artists make, sell and share their work, and we want to connect these artists with collectors, collaborators and the broader creative community in Athens.”
K.A. Artist Shop will celebrate its 10-year milestone with a three-day open house held Friday, Nov. 1–Sunday, Nov. 3 from 12–6 p.m. each day. In addition to workshops in linocut printmaking and origami, the weekend will offer giveaways, specials, demos and other activities. The first 10 attendees who arrive on Friday will receive a $10 gift card, and anyone who purchases a custom anniversary Blackwing pencil—the proceeds of which will support a summer camp scholarship fund and the purchasing of new equipment—will be entered to win a $500 gift card.
While the shop has hosted countless classes and camps since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the open house will be its first major party since it hosted a reception for “The Love Show” exhibition in February 2020. In anticipation of the anniversary, MacCarthy curated a retrospective exhibition featuring framed artwork the shop has printed for local artists over the past decade.
“One thing I love about the Athens creative community is the spirit of collaboration and celebration for each other,” says MacCarthy. “Maybe it’s Southern warmth, but folks don’t seem to be in competition with one another too often. We celebrate each others’ victories and share resources. We’re interested in helping each other grow. That’s my goal for the next 10 years: to be a part of keeping Athens authentically creative while we all continue to grow.”
WHO: K.A. Artist Shop’s 10th Anniversary
WHEN: Friday, Nov. 1–Sunday, Nov. 3, 12–6 p.m.
WHERE: 127 N. Jackson St.
HOW MUCH: FREE!
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