Gum Store Studios gives artists of all kinds the space and support to embrace their dreams.
written by TARA WINE-QUEEN
photographed by NIKKI BOWMAN MILLS
Gum Store Studios, an artistic dream house “where creativity and healing converge,” is the warm and whimsical brainchild of Penny Fioravante. Located in White Sulphur Springs, the building it inhabits is close to Fioravante’s home and had sat abandoned for some time when the stars aligned for her to purchase it. From there, with some inspiration from her artist son Marcus, the idea began to grow into something tangible worthy of its mantra, “In fun we trust.”
The transformation from eyesore to welcoming wonder of delighted creation has been a winding path, with Fioravante rehabilitating the building with great care and thoughtfulness while also allowing the shape of Gum Store Studios to develop organically. As word has spread, more and more artists have shown up to become part of the Gum Store family and add their unique talents to the studio’s offerings.
“We’re a community of artists and caring people, and we’re a community that evolves,” Fioravante says. The studio embraces an allencompassing definition of the word “artist” so that anyone from a chef to a painter may feel welcome there. While the art itself is important, the sense of community and friendship the studio fosters is just as vital to its joyful beating heart.
Arts and artists of all stripes have spaces there, from the elaborate puppetry of the younger Fioravante to sound frequency healing and scent therapy with Laura Allman, a master practitioner of Reiki. Fierce Sonia, an artist who works in mixed media, has pieces favoring bright colors paired with feminist, fairy-tale, and pop culture topics. Black Possum Ink Studio offers hand-poked tattoos and has flash pieces readily available or works with clients to custom create tattoos they’ve envisioned. Body Spiral, with former professional dancer Priscilla Lambson, offers a safe and compassionate environment for body movement and exercise.
The colorful “community hub” doesn’t have regular hours, though Fioravante keeps an office there and the many creators who take advantage of the space are often present and available. Yoga and Pilates classes are offered regularly, with three to four classes a week open to the public. Individual creators may also offer classes when their schedules allow. Plant exchanges, poetry readings, and dance parties are among the other exclusive events the studio hosts.
Fioravante is especially excited for warmer months when the community can take full advantage of the studio’s beautiful outdoor space. “Something that we’re looking forward to this year is doing a concert series outside in the garden. We had two bands that came in last year and performed by the creek, and it was just phenomenal.”
A special feature of the studio is its Artist in Residence program. Meant to support creatives who are looking for a place to work on their art when the need strikes, the position is filled as inspiration and demand allow. Anyone may express interest in the program, and creatives hoping to take advantage of the opportunity can contact Gum Store directly.
In addition to the public studios of artists who utilize Gum Store, an Airbnb is also available for anyone to book. While creators might find the space particularly appealing, people from all paths of life can take advantage of the charming space and the myriad delights it and the broader Gum Store Studios offer.
493 Dry Creek Road, White Sulphur Springs, gumstorestudios.com
READ MORE ARTICLES FROM SPRING 2024
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