by Devna Bose
Melanie John (pictured) and her sister, Janella John, own StudioAMN & Designs, which is on Ridgewood Road on Jackson. They wouldn’t be anywhere but the capital city, she says. Photo courtesy Devna Bose
Ridgewood Road is the site of one of Jackson's hidden gems, Studio AMN & Designs, a fine-arts gallery and "paint and sip" studio where clients can drink wine while creating art.
Photo courtesy Devna Bose The business, which sisters Janella and Melanie John own, is named after Melanie's daughter, Amber Marie Nichols. The studio has been in business for a little more than seven years and has evolved from just a fine arts gallery to a "paint and sip" studio after clients began inquiring about paint classes.
Janella manages the day-to-day operations, while Melanie is the artist.
"I have done most of the art that is hanging up on the walls, along with several different local artists like Lorenzo Gayden (whose art is on one side) of Studio AMN," John says. "I also create art with the customers."
The walls are decorated with abstract paintings as well as Gayden's richly colored art that depicts African American men playing jazz instruments.
Owning an art gallery is something Melanie knew she wanted to do since she was little, she says.
"I've always been fascinated with art and have been painting since I was a child," she says. "My mom put me in all types of art classes when I was younger, and the woman who really piqued my interest was one of my art teachers in school, Robin Doudy. It's something I've been interested in ever since."
Janella manages the day-to-day operations, while Melanie is the artist.
"I have done most of the art that is hanging up on the walls, along with several different local artists like Lorenzo Gayden (whose art is on one side) of Studio AMN," John says. "I also create art with the customers."
The walls are decorated with abstract paintings as well as Gayden's richly colored art that depicts African American men playing jazz instruments.
Owning an art gallery is something Melanie knew she wanted to do since she was little, she says.
"I've always been fascinated with art and have been painting since I was a child," she says. "My mom put me in all types of art classes when I was younger, and the woman who really piqued my interest was one of my art teachers in school, Robin Doudy. It's something I've been interested in ever since."
Photo courtesy Devna Bose John, who is a Hattiesburg native, moved to Jackson in 1989 and attended Jim Hill High School. After she graduated from high school, she attended the University of Southern Mississippi before her college education at William Carey University. She received a bachelor's degree in English in 2003. She also received a master's of business administration in marketing in 2013 and master's degree in organizational leadership in 2014, both from Columbia Southern University.
John wanted to create her business in Jackson because she wanted to offer something new to the art community here.
"I love Jackson, the people here and the community," she says. "I think we're a city that is growing—we're on the rise. I want the business to stay in Jackson, and I wouldn't bring my business anywhere else."
John travels to local schools and nursing homes to offer paint parties to children and elderly people in Jackson.
The studio offers everything from paint parties where groups paint pre-drawn canvases to wine-glass paintings. John stresses that the main goal she has for clients is to allow them to express their inner artist in an open environment.
"Studio AMN is different because we allow you in come in and relax," she says. "It's not structured, and it's not supposed to be. You can let your hair down and enjoy yourself here. A lot of people think you won't see something like this unless you're in a larger city, but it's here. You just have to find it."
For more information on StudioAMN & Designs (5846 Ridgewood Road, Suite C212, 769.218.8165), visit studioamndesigns.com.
John wanted to create her business in Jackson because she wanted to offer something new to the art community here.
"I love Jackson, the people here and the community," she says. "I think we're a city that is growing—we're on the rise. I want the business to stay in Jackson, and I wouldn't bring my business anywhere else."
John travels to local schools and nursing homes to offer paint parties to children and elderly people in Jackson.
The studio offers everything from paint parties where groups paint pre-drawn canvases to wine-glass paintings. John stresses that the main goal she has for clients is to allow them to express their inner artist in an open environment.
"Studio AMN is different because we allow you in come in and relax," she says. "It's not structured, and it's not supposed to be. You can let your hair down and enjoy yourself here. A lot of people think you won't see something like this unless you're in a larger city, but it's here. You just have to find it."
For more information on StudioAMN & Designs (5846 Ridgewood Road, Suite C212, 769.218.8165), visit studioamndesigns.com.
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