Two local art studios in Weiser offer an outlet to express creativity


Weiser is fortunate to have two art studios where people can bring out their creative side. Art is a great form of therapy to help reduce stress. Marbella Pottery Painting, Mosaics and Wine has a large variety of pottery to paint and glass to create a mosaic project. Above, Bonnie Akbar, owner of Artful Bon’s, is teaching a paint class. Photo by Mary Phipps
By: 
Mary Phipps
 Individuals seeking to expand their artistic touch can visit Artful Bon’s for a paint or craft lesson several times a week. Customers can also visit Bonnie Akbar during business hours to shop her selection of crafts, creative kits and more as well as come in whenever a class is not scheduled to experiment with a creative vision.
 “Everything in here is an idea,” said Akbar. “I have the stuff that you can add…it’s fun.”
 Artful Bon’s will soon pass the one year in Weiser milestone and offers classes, paint nights, art supplies and more for anyone interested in trying their hand at expanding their artistic knowledge. 
 Previously a math and science teacher, she was reintroduced to her love of art and creativity after practicing art therapy. She began painting after a 20-year hiatus from art and what begun as a sabbatical for her became a newfound passion.
 “I just believe in the power of art so much,” said Akbar.
 Akbar was a teacher for 25 years before opening Artful Bon’s. She said she especially loved teaching the second grade, enjoying the chance to watch her students grow. 
 The store, her second career, also gives her the opportunity to continue teaching. She hosts Friday “crafternoons” along with weekly preschool classes and paint sessions. Events from birthday parties to private parties can be scheduled and patrons are welcome to visit the store to try a project without classroom instruction. A different paint project is prepared for every class and a craft of the week is selected for the “crafternoon.” While a project is preselected, any project that an individual wishes to learn can be taught during a class.
 “I love the fact that I still get to teach,” said Akbar. “I do miss the classroom.”
 Her vision for the store is to create a space where individuals feel free and safe to work on anything. The store has been in its new West Idaho St. location for two months and now has several rooms available for use. 
 “There’s a lot of wonderful, artsy businesses in town,” said Akbar.
 Marbella Pottery Painting, Mosaics and Wine is another small business in Weiser to purchase a variety of Christmas presents. Owned by Sandy Mockwitz, Marbella has operated in downtown Weiser for the past seven years. The store is a pottery painting and stain glass mosaic studio and also features a wine bar as well as a range of IPAs. The store also features an outdoor patio that would offer wine tastings outside of a pandemic and during warmer weather. When moving to Weiser, Mockwitz said she chose to create a job for herself by combining her favorite hobbies.
 “I think it’s soul driven,” said Mockwitz. “Just the need in me to create all the time. I’m a creative person.”
 As well as the range of pottery and other artistic items offered, Mockwitz organizes workshops to help teach customers how to create a designated item. A creation is chosen based on what appears to be popular or what would potentially be enjoyed most. Items have ranged from birdhouses to mosaic hearts and paint projects. A workshop is then organized with either customers signing up or parties organizing times. 
 Each item chosen for a workshop can also be created by a walk-in customer on any business day. During the COVID-19 pandemic Marbella has temporarily cancelled the workshops. The studio space is limited, said Mockwitz, and while cancelling the workshops was not an easy choice, it was the best to preserve the safety of her customers.
 “I’ll be really excited when we can do them again,” said Mockwitz.
 Items sold fluctuates throughout the year. The busiest time of year for pottery is Christmas time, Mockwitz said. Her personal favorite time of year is the warmer months and enjoys creating and organizing events outside in the sunshine. 
 The focus of the store mainly being stained glass and pottery, she said she loves both because it is her thing. For pottery painting, Mockwitz said she loves that a detailed picture is not necessary and an individual does not have to be an artist.
 “Pottery painting is user friendly,” said Mockwitz. “And it’s functional art, so whatever you paint you can use.”
 

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Signal American

18 E. Idaho St.
Weiser, ID 83672
PH: (208) 549-1717
FAX: (208) 549-1718
 

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