CRESTVIEW — There’s a reason Kristal Petruzzi named her Main Street studio the Happy Lark. And it’s not just her love of birds.
“I love for people to be happy,” she said.
The former Northwood Arts and Science Academy art teacher and library director left the education environment she loved to pursue her dream of having her own studio and sharing her love of art through creating and teaching.
The creative part is ongoing.
“I’m doing it all the time, like on weekends,” she said. “I love doing it. I’m working all the time and loving it.”
The popularity of Petruzzi’s studio, art supplies shop and art lessons has led her and her husband, Tony, to take the building’s unused rear portion and renovate it into the studio, converting the front portion into her Raven Art Supply shop.
“We have this big, huge back area that we never opened because we didn’t need it,” Petruzzi said. “Well, now we need it.”
In addition to outfitting area artists and teaching lessons, Petruzzi believes it is a business owner’s obligation to give back to her community. A portion of proceeds from art events such as camps and painting parties go to a variety of local charities.
Petruzzi’s work — a festive array of canvasses in bright, cheerful colors — is currently on exhibit through May at the Crestview Public Library.
“The type of painting I do is expressive,” she said. “It is many, many layers. I just start seeing things in the work and that guides my direction.
“I guess everything inspires me.”
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SUMMER ART CAMP
Former Okaloosa Schools art teacher Kristal Petruzzi presents a summer art camp June 13-17 with morning and afternoon sessions at her Happy Lark Art Studio, 551 Main Street S., 603-2475. A portion of the camp proceeds goes to local charity. Contact the studio for tuition rates.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Artist sees growth, joy in Crestview studio (PHOTOS)