Local and visiting artists have a new space available to work on their projects in Perry.

Jenny Eklund came up with the idea for the Heart and Soul Studios inside the antique shop and art gallery Mary Rose Collection.

“Somebody said to me ‘Jenny, you always give your heart and soul.  When you jump in you’re giving your heart and soul.’ And I’m like you know what, I like how that sounds.  What if I created a little business that says the Art and Soul?”

Eklund says painters, knitters, stained glass artists and more have utilized the space.  The new studio also ties into Eklund’s other venture, La Poste, which often has art exhibits and performances in The Cellar.

“We’ve had so many artists come in and they love this place because they can just bring their canvas and start painting, bring their canvas and start knitting.   Then we’ve had so many people want to jump in and learn stained glass or do stained glass with us.”

Mary Rose Collection and the Art and Soul Studio are located at 1215 Warford Street in Perry.