Photography by Kathy Tran
Most teachers can’t attend their own children’s meet-the-teacher night because they’re busy meeting their own students’ parents.
They aren’t available for school drop-off and pick-up because they’re coordinating those daily phenomena at their own schools.
Joi Holmes loves teaching, but as a single parent, she wanted a career that would allow flexibility in raising her two children.
A teacher for 16 years in four states, including teaching language arts and reading in Dallas ISD, she transitioned to entrepreneurism and opened Artsey Art Studio in the Bishop Arts District in August 2020.
It’s been a slow start, but the concept is beginning to take steam, Holmes says.
Artsey offers creative art lessons to adults and children, plus “drop-in” free-play and art instruction three days a week — Monday, Wednesday and Saturday — when parents can drop their kids off for one hour.
“They can take off and do whatever they want to do or run errands and know their child is having a fun, educational experience,” Holmes says.
The studio also offers more structured classes for pre-school kids up to 16-year-olds Monday-Friday. Topics include continuous line drawing, abstract painting and clay molding.
For adults, the classes often involve wine or yoga.
The “Wednesday wine down paint pour” costs $45 and includes a guided painting project and three wines
to taste.
“Painted yoga,” in partnership with Black Swan Yoga, starts with a sound bath, and students choose their paint colors based on the sounds they hear.
Artsey also offers discounts to Black Swan members.
“My dream is to use my teaching background to bring families together and build community,” Holmes says.
Besides running a fledgling business, Holmes is also pursuing a doctorate in art history at the University of Texas at Dallas.
She also stays busy bringing Artsey’s programming into schools, including Springhill Montessori in Oak Cliff.
Artsey offers birthday parties on the weekends, and Holmes plans to begin offering more mobile and customized classes. Ultimately, she would like to grow the concept and have multiple locations.
“I envision being a destination space where moms and families can come and have a playdate,” Holmes says. “We are a family oriented space of creative play, and we hope to grow with the families in our community.”
