Artist Angel Lowden seeks to promote creativity in the community. She hopes her new studio space — which doubles as an art gallery and vintage boutique — is a place people turn to for that purpose.
“That’s what I feel like this space can deliver,” she said. “Because it’s not just a place where you shop. It’s not just a place where you go and have an artist commission to do something for you. It’s an activity – that you can come here and be immersed in the environment.”
Artist Angel Lowden’s studio recently opened at 150 Tomoka Ave. at Ormond Beach. Spanning approximately 1,150 square feet, the space is twice the size of Lowden’s former studio in the city’s Railroad District. The walls feature artwork by Lowden, her students, and artists with whom she shares a personal connection, and the space is filled with vintage and handmade items, as well as the fashion line of Lowden.
From vintage furniture to art on the walls, Angel Lowden hopes the community will find inspiration to be creative in her new studio. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Lowden used to walk down Tomoka Avenue often to bypass Granada Boulevard, and she knew the vintage antique store that once occupied the space. In April, she noticed a “for rent” sign on the property, and although she had no intention of moving her studio, she decided to take a closer look. A few minutes later, she called the landlord and found herself signing a lease the next day.
“It felt like the right opportunity and I felt like it was something I had to do,” Lowden said. “So without hesitation, I decided that I was going to move my studio to this place.”
Lowden took part in Ormond MainStreet’s Art Walk in July as part of a soft opening of her new business and said she looks forward to continuing to do so even though she finds herself off the street downtown main street on Granada Boulevard. She wants people to see her studio as a place to relax, drink coffee or tea, and explore creativity, perhaps making greeting cards using vintage stamps.
She has a lot. About a thousand, probably. Lowden still has four containers to sort.
These stamps came into her possession when, one day, while browsing inside the Our Old Stuff Antique shopping center in Holly Hill, she saw some mermaid rubber stamps in a shop window. She inquired about them and she ended up buying the entire collection from the store.
Angel Lowden purchased several containers of stamps at a local antique mall. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
“They’re all really cool,” Lowden said. “…Some of them are unused. Some of them have been used, and some of them are so unique that you will never find them anywhere but in this collection. This is from someone who had really a passion for stamps.”
The new space also allows Lowden to work on his own art while managing the business aspect. She also leads art sessions there with her students.
“It’s really convenient and fun to be in this kind of environment where I can also host a community to come, visit, or feel inspired to be creative, or find something unique to buy,” said Lowden.
The studio is open Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit www.artistangellowden.com.
