Village People: Open Your Art
Open Your Art is built around a simple idea — that art should be accessible, inclusive, and something people can experience, not just observe. Founded by Angela Black, the studio brings together pottery, education, and community programming to support both local artists and anyone curious to get creative.
We caught up with Angela to hear more about how Open Your Art came to life, and what’s next for the new space in the Waterfront Container Village.
Q: What’s your favourite colour?
A: Prussian Blue.
Q: Where did the idea for the business come from?
A: I didn’t want the grind of working as a solo artist, and I’ve always loved both craft and education. That led me to open a school and, eventually, a pottery production studio that is accessible and inclusive.
Expanding to Saint John is an opportunity to create a retail outlet for the potters who work with and alongside us, while also offering activations, experiences, and arts education for both tourists and locals.
Q: How did you come up with the name of your business?
A: I was doing neurofeedback training and had a dream. Seriously — no joke!
Q: Did you have a different job before you started working here? What did you do?
A: Nope! I was an entrepreneur from a young age — I was selling cards on the cottage lane when I was 7, and later became a paper girl. I never really stuck with traditional jobs for very long.
Now, Open Your Art is very independent, and I spend most of my time working as a public servant.
Q: Is your container village location your first brick-and-mortar retail shop?
A: No! Our home base is at the Charlotte Street Arts Centre in downtown Fredericton
Q: Why did you want to set up shop at AREA 506?
A: We’re really interested in building on collaborations between art and social impact communities in New Brunswick. We’re excited to be part of the tourism scene, but just as importantly, we care about strengthening the local community and the arts economy.
For us, it really comes down to the idea that we’re stronger together. Art and music have always gone hand in hand for Open Your Art since it started almost 15 years ago, so joining a summer-long celebration of music and creativity just made sense.
Q: When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A: A teacher and a mom.
Q: Knowing what you know now, is there anything you would have done differently when you were first starting out?
A: Not really — I’ve enjoyed the ride!
Q: What do you consider your biggest success so far?
A: Building a team and a community of people who contribute to safer spaces and support inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility. The partnerships we’ve formed along the way are a big part of that success, too.
Q: What’s next?
A: Just come visit the container and you’ll have a transformational art experience — and probably a great conversation too!
If you’re an entrepreneur with a business that you think would be a great fit in the Waterfront Container Village, and you’re interested in hearing more about available opportunities, email hidden; JavaScript is required — we’d love to hear from you!