craft Theory

For the 205th week of "7 QUESTION SUNDAY" we shine the spotlight on another influential individual from the PNW. Meredith Russell is the owner of Craft Theory, a transformative art studio.

4EVRGRN: Hey, MR! Tell us a little about yourselves.

MR: Meredith Russell is the CEO of Craft Theory where we help women redefine and transform their relationships with art and with themselves. She has always been creative but didn’t feel like she belonged in the “traditional” art world, so she made her own. She has a passion for supporting small businesses, artists, and makers, and for giving the next generation a chance to create without expectations. Meredith serves in the Army Reserves and has been a Lakewood resident for 8 years. 

4EG: What is Craft Theory’s mission?

MR: Craft Theory’s mission is to be a community space where people of all abilities can come together and create. I want to help break generational cycles of poverty by providing a space with access to support, resources, and opportunities for those in single income households. We do this by providing a safe location for families and individuals to experience art and access resources, hosting educational opportunities, and generating community support from local citizens, businesses, and municipalities.

4EG: Why is art such a powerful therapeutic medium?

MR: Art is such a powerful medium for therapy and healing because it allows your mind to be free. Of course, you have to be willing to experiment and know that things may not turn out “right” the first time. But the act of creativity gives your mind a powerful dose of dopamine as well as allowing it to relax into something. One of my favorite exercises is scribbling on a page and then coloring in individual sections. There’s no right or wrong way to do that so it’s achievable for everyone. 

4EG: Tell us about birthday parties at Craft Theory!

MR: Birthday parties at Craft Theory are fun for all ages! We’ve done kids as young as one year and adults as old as 70! We will customize your projects to whatever theme you have picked out and offer two options: three smaller projects or one larger project. This way we can keep younger kids engaged with faster projects, and older kids and adults challenged with a longer single project. The parties start at $250 and include the first 10 participants along with 2 hours of fun! Plus, we do all the set up and clean up, so you just have to bring the cake. 

4EG: What are the benefits of your summer camps?

MR: There are a ton of benefits for summer camp! Firstly, it gets the kids out of the house and off the electronics for 3 hours a day. Secondly, it gets them engaged and meeting new friends. And thirdly it stops the summer slide. When kids aren’t learning and being challenged on a regular basis, they can actually lose some of what they learned the previous school year. So, summer camps are fun, but they’re also really important on an academic level. Our summer camps here at Craft Theory include activities from all the STEAM subjects. We do lots of art projects, but also science experiments, escape rooms using math and technology, and engineering when we build and conceptualize projects. Plus, each week includes themed snacks and yoga!

4EG: Why makes art culture so unique in the PNW?

MR: I think the PNW has such a unique art culture because we are such a big melting pot of ideas, cultures, and history. There’s a long history of indigenous populations here in the PNW which has significantly influenced the art that comes out of the area. And of course, with Seattle being such a big hub of music and grunge culture we have a unique take on some of the more fluid and experimental mediums as well. Add into that the international districts and you’ve got artists pulling inspiration from so many different forms we’re bound to be different. 

4EG: What is something artistic anyone who visits the PNW needs to see?

MR: The obvious answer to this is the Tacoma Glass Museum where visitors to the PNW can see the works of Dave Chihuly displayed as well as the works of other glass artists. They also have a hot shop where you can watch the process of glass firing - and even take a class to do it yourself! However, if you want to go where the locals go, I’d recommend walking around Tacoma or Seattle and visiting the different murals. These combine so many of the different elements of culture and grunge history that we were talking about before. I love murals because they are so different and larger than life. One of my favorite muralists is Henry who is known for his very bubbly and fantasy styling. 

4EG: Why is community so important to Craft Theory?

MR: Community is so important to Craft Theory and me because it is literally everything. We need other people as human beings. Whether we’re in business, raising a family, or just looking for a sense of belonging, having a community surround you is the best feeling. We help each other grow. We challenge each other to do better. And we celebrate each other at every level. Craft Theory is community over competition always. That’s why we partner with other local businesses and showcase artists in our retail space. And it's why we treat every person with dignity and respect. 

Learn more or book a time at Craft Theory on socials!

Facebook.com/crafttheorylakewood, Instagram.com/crafttheorylakewood