New Owner Of Studio E Found 'All I Could Ask For' In Art Studio

ROCKY POINT, NY —Kathy Grancher didn't set out to own an art studio, but somehow the stars aligned and now she's the new owner of long-time Rocky Point art studio Studio E.

The Montana native who now lives in Medford worked in medical research for years, which kept her love for pottery on the back burner. When she retired she was able to dedicate more time to the hobby, and one day while she was taking a class at another nearby studio someone asked, "Hey, does anyone want to buy an art studio?"

"Studio E was everything I imagined in an art studio: it had pottery, painting, it was for kids, adults, special needs populations—it was inclusive," Grancher told Patch.

In September Grancher took over the space, which is located at 77 Broadway. She plans to keep much of what students loved about the studio intact, like the teachers and class offerings, but try some new pop-up-style class workshops to introduce more people to the benefits of artistic time.

"I want to get us more involved in the community, and we are going to offer some new fun things like glass painting, calligraphy, woodworking."

Pop-up classes will allow people to try the studio out with less of a time commitment.

"I think an art studio is vital to a community," Grancher reflected.

"Especially when schools are reducing art and hands-on learning, and people are so stressed. There are different types of rest, and one is creative rest. We don't allow ourselves the space to have it, and it's so important."