Owners Carli Leet and Amanda Young opened the business on May 1 in Suite 4 of 415 S. Stephenson Ave.

“The business kind of presented to us,” Leet said. “We were supposed to pursue a different opportunity. That didn’t work out and we kind of made it our own.”

They are trying to create a space where people can explore artistic projects through a variety of classes or even on their own during open studio time. During open studio time, people can come in and work on their own projects for a $5 fee. They can purchase materials from The Open Palette as well. People also are invited to work on their own project during classes if space is available.

Currently they offer about two to three classes a week, but hope to add more volunteers to help teach additional classes and perhaps offer a children’s program this summer.

The Open Palette in Suite 4 of 415 S. Stephenson Ave. in downtown Iron Mountain offers a number of classes during the month plus open studio time. (Marguerite Lanthier/Daily News photo)

Events eyed for July include abstract pet portraits, baseball cap hat burning, faux stained glass and making fishing lure jewelry, according to a post on The Open Palette’s Facebook page.

“It’s not necessarily what we want to offer but what people want,” Young said.

“The big thing that we know people want more of is ceramics and pottery, which we’re working on. We do plan to have pottery available with an acrylic glaze for right now rather than kiln fired,” Young said. They are pouring their own molds and creating kits for people to decorate.

Recently they hosted a ’90s trivia night that was very popular, Leet said.

“The other fun thing we’re working on is the blind date with a canvas and they (the canvases) will be fully custom and hand drawn,” Leet said.

Some of the interior and displays at The Open Palette in downtown Iron Mountain, including a chalk board for scheduling classes each month and some retail items. The business has space for painting and other projects. (Marguerite Lanthier/Daily News photo)

“We’ll be the first to tell you we are not experts,” Young said. “We learn a lot times along with those who are in here with us.”

Leet said classes are for all levels. “Intermediate, beginner — we want them all,” she said.

Leet said operating the business has helped her regain her enjoyment of creating art.

“I was very hard on myself. It was just recently I started doing abstracts and I fell in love with art again,” she said.

Leet had always been drawn to art while attending school in Gwinn. Before her current job as a paraprofessional at the Dickinson-Iron Intermediate School District, she worked for Baker Signs.

A wall displays artwork and supplies at The Open Palette, Suite 4 of 415 S. Stephenson Ave. in downtown Iron Mountain. The business offers a variety of classes and open studio time. (Marguerite Lanthier/Daily News photo)

Young wasn’t naturally interested in art but has done creative things such as woodwork and operating a bakery. She currently works down the hall for Wilson Marana Insurance.

With the business still new, they are trying to make themselves more visible to the community.

“We’ll start doing farmers markets, crafts shows in the fall, to open up visibility of our location and our studio,” Young said.

Although they only recently opened, they are already planning to expand into the space next door. The additional 300 square feet will be used for retail and more classroom space, plus pottery. The current location has 500 square feet, decorated completely by them.

The name came from a brainstorming session, Leet said.

“We … ended up falling in love with The Open Palette,” Leet said. “The open comes from all the different art forms and all the different experiences we welcome. The palette from being artistic. Most people know what an art palette is.”

Leet said one side of the business they are trying to promote are group or team activities.

“If there are any businesses that want to work with us, we want to do whatever we can — whether it be corporate, just gathering where you’re growing as a team, or birthday parties,” Young said. “Our goal is to work with all age groups, all demographics to provide an art outlet.”

“I believe art, in general, is something people can rely on, so people can relax. We have one lady who says this the perfect way to end her week,” Leet said. “I’ve enjoyed it and I’ve met a lot of very nice people and I want to meet more.”

More information is available on their Facebook page or by calling 906-282-0208.

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Marguerite Lanthier can be reached at 906-774-3500, ext. 85242, or mlanthier@ironmountaindailynews.com.