Welcome Marion’s newest business owners, Amanda and Kenny Ash, to West Center Street. Mimi’s Art Hollow is a whimsical creative space for all ages. The name “Mimi” originated from Kenny’s grandmother. Mimi loved art and inspired him to be creative, whether it was by painting or writing sci-fi novels. “She’s always a part of us,” Kenny said. “The butterfly in our logo is one that she painted. It’s nice to have a piece of her.” The word “Hollow” was chosen by their kids because it sounded comforting, nurturing, and somewhere you can be at home.
Creating a safe, engaging, and encouraging space is incredibly important to the new shop on the block. When Amanda heard of Sweada Mae’s closure, she knew this was a community loss. “We went to places like this with the kids and made so many memorable pieces with them. These spaces are so important. When I learned this closed, I wanted to bring it back to the community.” The new art studio is looking to expand on the status quo by pursuing local partnerships that could result in classes like art therapy as well as Adults Only nights. They are extremely interested in providing collaborative experiences and creating community relations so if you are a leader in local organizations like the YMCA or mental health groups, or know of someone to connect them with, reach out!
Mimi’s Art Hollow is also excited about looking into different forms of art like nail art, hydro dipping, and expanding on multiple different types of art. “We don’t want to focus just on pottery,” Amanda revealed. “Pottery can come with a lot of pressure and art doesn’t need to be perfect. We want to offer different options so that people can try and learn different mediums and help them find something they feel confident doing while offering different price ranges.”
There’s so much love poured into the storefront already and they’ve only recently gotten the keys. The passion behind Mimi’s stemmed from a love that sparked in an art class right before Covid. “When I started school to be a teacher, I took an art for teachers’ class and I fell in love with art,” Amanda shared. “When I was younger, I didn’t like it, I didn’t think I was good at it. When I became a teacher, I realized everyone can do art.” Amanda made art a reward in her class, something to be thought of as special and impactful.
Things to note about Mimi’s Art Hollow:
Their Grand Opening is October 5th from 10am-5pm
Their starting hours will start with Wednesdays and Thursday from 3pm-9pm, Fridays from 11am-9pm, Saturdays from 9am-8pm, and Sundays from 12pm-6pm
They will honor Swaeda Mae gift cards
They painted their own logo as a mural in their space!
Visit Mimi’s Art Hollow this weekend during their Grand Opening and let’s welcome them to Marion!
Corporate parties, team holiday parties, end-of-the-year meetings, and much more can be hosted at Connect! The perfect energizing and functional space for any event. Have access to lounge space, kitchenettes, conference rooms, cafe dining space, spacious bathrooms, and a vibrant atmosphere. Let’s get this party started, contact us today!
Last Friday, I had the privilege of hosting the Leadership Marion class for a behind the scenes look at our downtown. Leadership Marion is a program of the Marion Area Chamber of Commerce that brings together emerging and seasoned leaders who want to learn more about our community’s institutions and industries. It is a program close to my heart. Back in 2014–15,
participating in Leadership Marion was one of the key experiences that deepened my appreciation for our city and its history and opened my eyes to the opportunities in downtown Marion.
Each month the Leadership Marion class explores a different sector such as healthcare, industry, government, and nonprofits, and this month’s focus was downtown. We began our time together with a conversation about leadership lessons I have learned over the years of growing and guiding businesses. From there, we stepped outside for a two-part walking tour of downtown
Marion, which included some stories behind the places we are reimagining.
The group toured The Lydia Project, saw progress on loft apartments and Airbnbs, and heard about the ongoing work of public art, signage and parking improvements, and special events that bring life to downtown. Along the way we talked about courageous entrepreneurs who have taken a chance on Marion and about the ripple effect that every new business and building rehab creates. We also discussed the cooperation between city government, nonprofits, caring citizens, and those who are ringing the registers to help sustain the momentum.
For me, days like this are an important reminder of why we do this work. Sharing our city’s past, present, and future with a roomful and sidewalk full of leaders felt like a full circle moment. I am grateful to continue to be able to tell the stories of how our downtown is getting better, brick by brick, block by block, and see more and more individuals get excited about being part of the positive progress.
When I think about the future of our downtown, it is hard not to see it reflected in days like last Friday with the Leadership Marion group and in openings like Mimi’s Art Hollow. The same curiosity, courage, and creativity that Amanda and Kenny Ash are bringing to West Center Street are the very qualities that keep our downtown evolving. Their decision to invest in a welcoming, hands-on art space grew out of their own experiences and their desire to give that same joy back to the community.
Moments like these remind us why leadership and entrepreneurship matter. Whether it is a walking tour for local leaders or a grand opening for a new business, every step strengthens our shared vision for downtown Marion. Let’s show up for Mimi’s Art Hollow this weekend, keep cheering on the next generation of leaders, and continue building a downtown we are proud to call home.
Better Together,
Luke Henry Col 3:23
