Blue Jayne Studio: Creative Offerings for All Ages and Seasons
If you live in or travel through Kamas, you might have noticed a few changes on the main drag—across the street from the recently-closed Artique, a new art studio has appeared, one with a flag adorned with the image of a blue jay.
“People often ask me where the name Blue Jayne came from,” writes Mariah Desatoff, founder of Blue Jayne Studio. “My middle name is Jayne, and I’ve always had a fascination with birds. Around the time I was dreaming up my vision for the studio, my hair happened to be blue, so the name Blue Jayne just felt right. A blue jay bird became the perfect logo to tie it all together.”
Though the South Summit community was saddened by the closure of local Arts & Culture hub Artique, Desatoff and Artique’s founder Katie Stellpflug are now sharing space at Blue Jayne. “I'm excited to see what comes of Mariah's new venture with Blue Jayne Studio,” says Stellpflug. Desatoff adds that “The project came about unexpectedly after our original plans to stay in the Artique building, which Katie had rented for the past 13 years, suddenly fell apart. The building was being sold, and we had only a couple of weeks to pack up and find a new space.”
Stellpflug and Desatoff became friends when the latter was taking a break from teaching art to K-12 students in Park City at Silver Summit Academy. “I was fortunate to have a very special art teacher in high school who supported and nurtured my creativity. This teacher made a lasting impact on my life, and I still think of him often. Inspired by his influence, I eventually became an art teacher myself. My greatest wish was to be a supportive figure for young artists on their creative journeys, just as my teacher had been for me. However, after some big life challenges, I left teaching last year to focus on healing and dedicating myself to my own art.”
Stellpflug invited Desatoff to display and sell her work in Artique, who says that experience “reinvigorated my passion for creating. I threw myself into making torch-fired enamel jewelry, sterling silver clay pendants, wood-burned and embellished hats, scarves, upcycled vintage wooden vessels, and more.”
Still, Desatoff felt incomplete; “Although I loved creating, I deeply missed being around kids and their boundless creative energy and the joy of teaching. Blue Jayne Studio became a way to bring all those pieces of my life together: creating beautiful, nature-inspired art, sharing it with the community, and fostering creativity through workshops and classes.”
At Blue Jayne Studio, Desatoff offers a variety of ever-changing creative opportunities for all ages. Some of her current offerings include after school art clubs for different age groups and Saturday morning kids workshops, designed to inspire and teach new skills. Classes offered in February include painting a Watercolor Bouquet, wood & string heart art, miniature woodland diorama, and a Year of the Snake collage.
Adult workshops have included painting, needle felting, jewelry making, fresh wreath making, handmade ornaments, and cards. Blue Jayne will be hosting a Valentine Paint Your Date Picasso Style workshop on February 14th if you are looking for an unforgettable date idea. No experience is necessary, and participants will be guided through the process to ensure the divisive nature of Cubism does not lead to any relationship blocks! The studio also hosts birthday parties for all ages, as well as special events and family workshops, designed around a theme of your choice. As Desatoff says, “I’m beyond thrilled about the opening of Blue Jayne Studio and the creative journey ahead. It’s a dream come true to share my passion for art, teaching, and community with others.”
Desatoff hints that there will be even more Blue Jayne offerings as the weather warms. “We are lucky to have a great outdoor space that we can use for creative activities. This summer, we will be hosting summer art camps for kids, which we are so excited about! Additionally, Katie will be spinning her wheel in the “Art Shed” in the back when the weather gets nicer and plans to offer some clay classes as well. There’s always something new and exciting happening at the studio, and we can’t wait to welcome more people into our creative space.”
As for Stellpflug, “I'm looking forward to getting my hands back in clay in the shed next to the building and possibly will think about doing clay classes eventually...but mainly I would like to focus on my art that has been put on the back burner the past few years!” Though she may be bringing her creative practice to the forefront of her days, Stellpflug acknowledges that she created something special at Artique that is worth replicating in the future. “I already miss gathering the community for First Fridays and I hope in the future we can include something similar at the space!”
While Desatoff is excited about developing a photo transfer gelli plate print painting class that will be offered next month, she says her favorite studio project of the moment is decorating the Studio Pot. “That’s our port-o-potty, honey bucket, outdoor loo, whatever you want to call it! We moved into a sweet little building that we absolutely love. It has so many great features, but one thing it was missing was a restroom. So, we opted for a portable solution and decided to make it as charming as possible. The Art Pot will soon be a fun and cozy little spot, complete with art, twinkle lights, a rug, and even some plants. It has turned into a quirky and delightful part of the studio’s character!”
As if opening Blue Jayne Studio didn’t keep Desatoff busy enough, she spends her time exploring the many Arts & Culture offerings throughout the region. “I feel so lucky to live in Summit County, where art is both abundant and deeply appreciated. One of my favorite local art events is Art on the Trails. I love how it’s such a collaborative experience, engaging all of the senses. I also enjoy the Last Friday Gallery Stroll in Old Town. It’s always exciting to see what is new and to connect with other artists and art lovers. Another favorite is the Create PC Holiday Makers Market, which is such a wonderful way for Park City to support local artists by giving them a platform to showcase and sell their work. It’s also the perfect place to shop for handcrafted holiday gifts. It has such a unique, festive vibe, and you’re supporting the creative community at the same time.”
Originally from Ohio, Desatoff moved to Utah for school, fell in love with the landscape, and never left. Here she has raised a family of three creative kids, ranging in age from 15 to 21. She says that whether at home or the studio, she is often “surrounded” by her animal family, which includes cats Van Gogh and Tolstoy, miniature pony Pixie, and Maple Mae, a three-legged Golden Retriever adoptee who is “currently working on her manners to become the official shop dog.”
Perhaps it is her love for Kamas and the surrounding area that has inspired Desatoff to give back to the community in the form of Blue Jayne Studio. As she puts it, “Being part of Summit County’s creative scene feels like a dream come true. I believe that access to high-caliber arts and culture enriches lives and strengthens communities. Whether someone lives here or is just visiting, art has the power to inspire and connect us all.”
Check out more of Blue Jayne Studio’s offerings and sign up for workshops and classes on their website, or follow them on Instagram.