One Good Thing: Free art class for veterans
The 8 week course will be taught by a veteran and award-winning artist
Published on August 6, 2020 by Nick LaFave from One Good Thing
CEDAR SPRINGS, Michigan — If you are a veteran who likes or could benefit from a little art in your life, or if you know a veteran who fits that description, here's something for you.
O'Flynn's Art Gallery and Craft Shoppe in Cedar Springs is teaming up with Veteran Creative Arts to host a free, eight week art class for vets. They'll be taught graphite pencil drawing skills by veteran and award winning artist, Bill Richardson. Organizers see lots important benefits.
Amanda Litz, owner of O'Flynn's, says, "I hope that they learn a skill that they can channel their thoughts and emotions to help them have focus on something outside of PTSD and anxiety. And I just think that brings a sense of calm and peace."
The class is free. But they have Go-Fund-Me set up to help pay for this and other classes. For more information or to sign up, call or email Amanda Litz at 937-903-9233 or info@oflynnshoppe.com.
SEE ORIGINAL ARTICLE HERE
Bill Richards
O'Flynn's Ever-Changing Market Place
O'Fylnn's Ever-Changing Market Place
Published on January 1, 2020 in the Cedar Springs Bugle by Tom Noreen
O’Flynn’s Art Gallery & Craft Shoppe opened in mid-October at 60 N. Main Street. Owner, Amanda Litz, describes her business as an “Ever-changing Market Place” with new artists and craftsmen each week. Her goal develop a sense of community and draw more people into Cedar Springs as people shop and support local artists and craftsmen.
Amanda is passionate about the arts. As an author, she said, “I like the arts and crafts as much as writing.” She wants to provide a venue for local artists and craftsmen to demonstrate their talents and a place to sell their creations.
Vendors can sell on consignment or have a booth space. Booths can be rented by the day, the week or the month. Thursdays are community nights, which offer opportunities for local groups to promote their organizations for free.
Each month, two local artists are featured. In December, Sharon Melton and Dana Charney, had displays of their art, which is also for sale.
O’Flynn’s also offers classes in arts and crafts. On January 9, a water color painting class will be offered. Participants will bring their own supplies. The cost of the class is $10.
You can also join either the art or crafting clubs. In these groups, you can share ideas, learn new skills and make connections with people that have similar interests.
O’Flynn’s also sponsors Slip N Shop events. At these invite only gatherings, shoppers will have a chance to peruse a variety of vendors and free wine tastings from Scout & Cellar, a clean crafted wine company.
Day to day management is done by Kayleigh Maslowski. Kayleigh has extended experience as an event manager. She managed the King Tut exhibit at the Grand Rapids Public Museum. She is looking forward to being a part of the community.
The shoppe is open on Monday from 9-3, Tuesday from 3-7, Thursday 3-7 and Saturday from 9-12.
For more information, you can email them at info@oflynnsshoppe.com. Or, better yet, stop in.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Amanda Litz
Phone: 937-903-9233
Grand Opening
New business opens in the city of Cedar Springs in time for holiday shopping
Published on January 1, 2020 in the Cedar Springs Post
Cedar Springs, MI– A new business, O’Flynn’s Art Gallery & Craft Shoppe will open their gallery and shop to shoppers on Saturday, October 19, 2019 at 11 a. m. Located at 60 N. Main Street in Cedar Springs, MI, O’Flynn’s can best be described as a small-town marketplace and will be open every Thursday and Friday 3pm – 7pm and every Saturday & Sunday 11am – 7pm featuring numerous unique and different artists, vendors and crafters each week.
Business owner, Amanda Litz who is passionate about art and creative expression envisions this new downtown shoppe as “a place for the community to come together to support and inspire each other, and to be supported and inspired themselves.” “I hope it will grow into a thriving small-town marketplace for local people to sell the art and crafts they are so passionate about creating and hopefully inspire others in some small way to follow their purpose and passion in life,” continued Litz.
Litz selected Cedar Springs as the hometown for this shopping venue and said “I am very fond of the town of Cedar Springs. Since I moved here in 2009, I have watched and personally experienced the community coming together to support their schools, their businesses, and their people in times of need. I don't know that there is a better town than Cedar Springs for a small-town marketplace meant to bring local people together to support and inspire each other.”
Shopping at O’Flynn’s is free to the public. Parking is available along the street in front of the shoppe and at several city parking lots within walking distance. Opening weekend will feature a variety of artists, vendors and crafters. “We hope to create a unique shopping experience for the people of Cedar Springs and the surrounding areas, and it’s just in time for holiday shopping where everyone is looking for that special, unique, gift for their family and friends,” said Litz.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Amanda Litz
Phone: 937-903-9233
