During a family trip to Bend, Oregon, Alissa Moody and her daughter popped into a local art studio. The studio sold art supplies, highlighted local artists and their work, and provided art classes. Moody thought the idea was so cool and fun that it needed to be brought to Indianapolis. Moody worked as an inpatient physical therapist at Riley Hospital for Children, and while she loved all things art, she didn’t have any real-world experience teaching art to others. So, she enlisted the help of her longtime dear friend, Chrissy Sweigart.
With over 20 years of experience in teaching art, Sweigart is a seasoned professional. Her diverse background includes teaching in parochial, private and public schools in both Indianapolis and Chicago. She has also organized art camps, contributed to the Indianapolis Children’s Museum Guild, and taught at Sycamore School in Indianapolis. In October 2023, she and Moody, a passionate art lover, opened Create Art Studio in the heart of Broad Ripple.
“When Alissa called me to discuss this idea, it was very serendipitous because I had wanted to open my own art space for a very long time,” Sweigart says. “So we decided to join forces and make it happen.”
Create Art Studio offers process art classes for artists of all types and ages. Sweigart says process art is choice driven, artist directed, and celebrates the experience of discovery. In process art, the end product is always unique, and the focus resides on creating the work instead of the outcome. This means artists focus on learning a new, unique art-making process, rather than the piece the artist produces.
“For instance, we might have an artist like Margaret Durbin come in and bring several different images from, let’s say, Australia,” Moody says. “Our students pick one that speaks to them. Rather than try to emulate it and make it a perfect match, they’re interpreting it. They’re just enjoying learning how to paint and create, rather than the outcome.”
Classes are broken down by age. Mini Maker classes are drop-off classes that allow your young artist to engage in an array of materials, mediums and processes, for children 1.5 to 4 years old. Art Explorer classes are drop-off classes for kids 4 to 6 years old. These incorporate artistic play and project work. Studio Explorer classes are suited for students 6 to 9 years old, and explore drawing, painting, sculpting, printing and more. Art Lab classes cater to young artists aged 10 to 17 who want to further their art education.
Finally, Creatives art classes are for those aged 18 and up with any art ability. Students can choose from various classes including workshops, happy hours and pop-ups.
At Create Art Studio everyone is welcome, regardless of their artistic abilities or skill levels. Moody emphasizes the inclusivity of the studio, saying “the multigenerational classes are a lot of fun. There is always a theme of some sort, and the classes vary. They’re not all fine-art related. Sometimes we offer charcuterie design, iPhone photography or calligraphy classes. Guests don’t necessarily have to have fine-art talent.”
Create Art Studio sells grab-and-go art supplies ranging from sketchbooks to markers, paints and pencils. They also love to adorn the walls with art from local artists who are brought in to teach classes. Sweigart says it allows them to share their passion with others and highlight artists who might not be showcased elsewhere.
“I think people are looking for fun things that aren’t just going out to dinner with friends,” Moody says. “That’s what we offer. It’s fun to do with friends or a group of people, and an enriching cultural experience.”
The structure that houses Create Art Studio was previously a home, and has been renovated to house various businesses since 1983. The upstairs area now serves as a one-bedroom Airbnb studio rental. Moody says the space is great for artists they bring in to teach classes, but also for anyone looking for an intimate space to create and get away, while also being close to the vibrant art scene of Broad Ripple and downtown Indianapolis.
Sweigart says classes are already booking up for the fall. The Fall 1 session runs from September 9 through October 11, and the Fall 2 sessions run from October 21 through November 29. Create Art Studio is also a unique location to host a private event. Guests can rent the studio, hold a private party or create a private event.
Create Art Studio is located at 6511 Ferguson Street in Indianapolis.
