SWEET VALLEY — A paint-smeared old dining room table is a testament to Miki Hossage’s love of teaching art at her studio called An Inspiration Station.
The table was resurrected from storage when Hossage’s business, formerly located in Nanticoke, closed in 2009 and relocated to her home on Main Road in Sweet Valley.
The colorful table went unused again in 2012 when Hossage shut down the studio when her 20-year-old son, Justin, was fatally injured in a vehicle accident in July 2012. Justin died in October 2012.
In the fall of 2013, Hossage re-opened An Inspiration Station. The studio became a therapeutic endeavor, enabling her to cope with the unexpected death of her son.
“Art is very therapeutic and helped me get through,” she said. “Several former students wanted to come back for lessons.”
Again, Hossage began to hold classes at her home.
Projects and art supplies needed space, she said. The family decided it would be useful to have a separate space for the art studio.
Hossage and her husband, David, a pastor at Bloomingdale Bible Church in Shickshinny, built an addition on the back of their home to serve as a permanent art studio and a retail space called the Busy Bee Gallery & Gift Shop.
The Busy Bee Gallery & Gift Shop offers a variety of items ranging from handmade jewelry, knitted hats, scarves and artwork made by Hossage and her daughter-in-law, Michelle.
An Inspiration Station offers more than just the opportunity to master the fundamentals of painting and drawing techniques. Hossage provides a variety of workshops for adult and youngsters.
On Friday nights, a Sip & Paint or Sip & String workshop gives adults an opportunity to socialize, enjoy a non-alcoholic beverage and try their artistic talent at painting or jewelry making.
Pick & Paint is a workshop for children 3 years of age and older where they can choose a ceramic or wooden figurine to paint.
“The cost is dependent on the size of the item they choose,” Hossage said.
Her goal is to help students of all ages tap into their artistic side.
“I try to get them to see more than just a cup (on the table),” she said. “I try and get them (students) to see the shapes, colors and shades. When I see them grasping the concepts, I say ‘there is a birth of an artist.’”