Charleston and Mount Pleasant residents now have a new way to express their passion for DIY design and styling, with the opening of AR Workshop in Mount Pleasant (Northcutt Plaza). The grand opening was celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, June 16. Mayor Pro Tempore Gary Santos, Councilmen Jim Owens, Mark Smith, and Mount Pleasant Chamber President Chris Staubes were in attendance.
Taking the trend of creative, interactive parties (think of the popular “wine and painting” studios) to a fun new level, AR Workshop lets visitors work from customizable patterns and templates that can fit virtually any taste or style. As a result, no two pieces – or projects – are the same. However, the approach enables anyone to produce beautiful, “Pinterest-worthy” artworks they can be proud to display or even give as a gift.
“Congratulations to AR Workshop on their grand opening,” said Mayor Linda Page. “We are delighted to have a unique, artistic outlet for our citizens in Mount Pleasant.”
“We welcome AR Workshop to Mount Pleasant,” said Mayor Pro Tempore Santos. “We look forward to their involvement in our business community.”
Paige Hutzler, of Charleston, is a new Licensee opening the Mount Pleasant location which is an extension of the popular NC-based design company Anders Ruff. AR Workshop is a hands-on boutique studio and store where visitors can create their own handmade, mixed-media pieces – everything from framed and plank wood signs, to canvas wall hangings, chalkboard art, pillows, décor and more. It all takes place in guided workshop sessions that allow customers’ creative juices to flow, while still ensuring consistent, high-end results.
For the past five years, Paige has been working out of her garage making distressed picture frames that she sold thru Etsy (West Ashley Wall Art). As soon as she heard about ARW, she was sold.
“This was the perfect opportunity for me to share my love of creating farmhouse chic, rustic decor, while also allowing me to be part of my community instead of working solo in my garage,” says Hutzler. “My favorite part of the entire process is seeing how delighted and proud our guests are when they see the end product! They are shocked that they created something that they really want to show off!”
The environment itself is also designed to inspire and delight – with a warm, welcoming atmosphere that feels almost more like a lounge than an arts and crafts studio. Accommodating everyone from individuals and couples, to larger groups and parties and even corporate events, AR Workshop is a place where inspiration and instruction meet – with a fun, fresh DIY flair. Bring your own wine & treats to any workshop to make it even more fun when you DIY!
AR Workshop will be hosting a grand opening party on Friday, June 16 from 6:30 to 9:30pm. The community is invited to enjoy food, drinks, giveaway, specials, and meet the founders, Maureen Anders and Adria Ruff.
“We are so looking forward to our grand opening on Friday, June 16 and invite the community to pop by and celebrate with us! Bring your friends or come by yourself – you’re sure to make a fast friend with creativity in common,” says Hutzler.
To learn more, visit www.ARWorkshop.com/mtpleasant or visit the Facebook page at AR Workshop Mt Pleasant.
About Anders Ruff (AR)
The brainchild of designers Maureen Anders and Adria Ruff, Anders Ruff began life in 2010 as a small, mixed media boutique and blog offering unique graphic design, styling, and inspiration to lovers of handmade artistry. Before long, the combination of one-of-a-kind artworks, inspiring environment, and the owners’ own inescapable enthusiasm led friends and clients to ask for hands-on workshops where they could learn these skills from the designers themselves. So AR Workshop was born, with locations in Pineville, NC, Raleigh, NC, Northville, MI, and now to the Lowcountry of SC. To explore the Anders Ruff online store and blog, visit www.AndersRuff.com.
