Local studio offers ‘escape’ through artistic ambience for all

Looking for a calming, cheerful environment to let your creative juices flow? The Fire Escape might be the perfect place for you. With a wide range of artistic opportunities to choose from, the art studio in downtown Oshkosh has been able to stay in business during the pandemic due to the support of the community.

 Manager of the Fire Escape, Crystal Young, enjoys the assortment of experiences the business offers to people who come in.

“We’ve done painting with goats, painting with puppies, and we’ve brought a sloth in here, so we’re doing a lot of different things,” she said. “My favorite part is how diverse we are with events. We try to keep it interesting and keep customers coming back.”

Even though painting is their forte, the Fire Escape provides other unique activities for people who want to try something new.

“We have wheel throwing, where you throw clay on the wheel and build your own clay items like pots and bowls, and our mandala class, which is dotting on pottery,” Young said. “Similar to the geode, we have fluid art where you take acrylic and do a pour painting that looks super marbley and fun.”

Junior Dominique Bauer has been working at the Fire Escape for over a year and the experience has been eye-opening for her.  

photo courtesy of Dominique BowerBauer holds two dogs from one of the Fire Escape events, Paint with Puppies. The art studio hosts a ,multitude of classes for visitors to enjoy.

photo courtesy of Dominique Bower

Bauer holds two dogs from one of the Fire Escape events, Paint with Puppies. The art studio hosts a ,multitude of classes for visitors to enjoy.

“It’s been pretty life-changing,” she said. “I was treated like an adult and was expected to treat others like adults even though I was only 15 when I was first hired. It was a big change maturity-wise, so I’m very thankful for it.”

One of the aspects junior Anika Larson appreciated when visiting the Fire Escape was the laid-back atmosphere.

“It’s a chance to be creative and interact with other people,” she said. “It’s very relaxing and therapeutic to paint and chat for a while.”

An inclusive message that Young preaches is you don’t have to be the next Van Gogh to paint at the art facility.

“I’m actually not super artistic and I don’t paint a lot,” she said. “It’s super cool because a lot of people think you have to be artsy to work here or come in and paint but the reality is you don’t have to be.” 

Sophomore Sarah Pizon had a pleasant experience at the Fire Escape, finding it to be a more social environment than other activities high schoolers might participate in.

“During a movie, there’s no talking between people who go, whereas when going to the Fire Escape, you get to converse with each other,” she said. “You also get to bring something home afterwards. It’s a fun thing to do with a friend, as a date, or by yourself if you’re bored.”

The Fire Escape has done events all over Oshkosh, and has the goal of connecting people.

“We do so many birthday parties, fundraisers, and painting-out nights at schools to bring the community together and it’s awesome,” she said. “Growing up here, it’s important for us to give back to the community. Even though there is COVID-19, we host events to try to get people out of the house and have fun.”

Throughout the hardships caused by the pandemic, Young is thankful the Fire Escape was able to continue bringing joy to the community.

“We opened up our doors again, but we weren’t super busy until the last couple of months when the vaccine came out and people started going out and about more,” she said. “It was hard, but I’m glad we were able to stay in business through it all.”

photo from TripAdvisorA booth displays different creations made at the Fire Escape. The studio enjoys sharing their resources with people around town.

photo from TripAdvisor

A booth displays different creations made at the Fire Escape. The studio enjoys sharing their resources with people around town.

Young and all the Fire Escape employees follow the necessary COVID precautions to ensure customers are comfortable while in the building.

“I want customers to feel safe and I’m thankful they even came in so I always wear my mask,” she said. “And then when people come in, we place them at every other table and spread them out as best we can. After people are done, instead of having them put away their things, we put their things away.”

Larson was at ease while in the building due to the new measures.

“Obviously there’s always risks when you’re going out and being around people that aren’t in your immediate circle,” she said. “But I felt like out of the activities I’ve done, it was safe.”

No matter your artistic talent, Bauer encourages anyone and everyone to go to the art studio downtown and have a good time.

“It is the hidden gem of downtown Oshkosh,” she said. “It’s such a positive experience where no matter your background, who you are, or where you’re from, everyone gets along and is able to share a common interest.”

By Abby Furcy

Published April 30, 2021

Oshkosh West Index Volume 117 Issue V!!

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