What was once the old “Heavenly Bliss” Wedding Chapel on Las Vegas Boulevard has been transformed into a one-of-a-kind art studio and gift boutique encompassing all the energy of the up-and-coming urban oasis in downtown Las Vegas.

Opened in March of 2008, Studio 8 Ten is located at 810 South Las Vegas Boulevard in the heart of the downtown redevelopment area, and adjacent to the city’s booming Arts District. It is a 3200 square foot art studio with 900 square foot gift shop. The entire space is open to the public to shop and interact with the studio artists, see how the products are made, and even have the chance to participate!

This extraordinary project represents all the success the artists in our studio programs have experienced during their employment with Transition Services, Inc., non-profit company providing meaningful work to people with disabilities. Studio 8 Ten would not have been possible without the ongoing interest and talents of the individuals to take ownership in their business, work directly with other members of their community, and strive to have their own meaningful life experiences.

Visit Studio 8 Ten and shop our great variety of quality handmade items, meet these talented artists, and experience the hip, urban vibe of downtown Las Vegas!

What once seemed like only a dream to the individual artists working in Transition Services’ handmade products business, officially came to fruition on the afternoon of May 29th, 2008. Studio 8 Ten, Las Vegas’ only community-based art studio supporting people with disabilities, hosted Mayor Oscar Goodman to cut the ribbon and make the opening of the studio a celebration and a total reality.

Construction began on what was once the Heavenly Bliss wedding chapel in January of 2007, and the building has a whole new face, and a bunch of new faces. With its upscale, urban décor and open studio space, this new program facility offers individual artists the opportunity to be thriving members of the downtown community, and expand their skills related to design and production in the already-successful Transition Services handmade products business. They also have the opportunity to engage in customer interaction while learning new skills, like running a cash register, in the gift shop area. The public is welcome during business hours to visit the studio, interact with the artists at work, and purchase or place custom orders of the amazing handmade products.

The products offered at Studio 8 Ten range from handmade paper products, like the popular Plantable Thankyou notes that are all-the-rage amongst the Las Vegas business community, to a http://studio8ten.com/2009/11/featured-2/selection of bath and body products in 17 fresh scents, to dog toys, and logo t-shirts. With well over 50 different products available, and more coming by Christmas, it’s worth a visit to the up-and-coming downtown oasis. Make it an afternoon by visiting the Potato Valley Café for lunch…it’s right across the street!

During the ribbon cutting ceremony, Mayor Goodman reflected on what a welcome addition Studio 8 Ten is to the downtown community while waving around the squeaky dog bone he purchased during his personal guided tour of the studio by artist Nora Miranda. The celebration continued into the following week with activities building up to the Grand Opening on First Friday, June 6th.

Studio 8 Ten is located at 810 South Las Vegas Boulevard, between Gass Ave. and Hoover Dr. Hours of operation are Monday-Friday, from 10AM- 6PM, with extended hours on First Fridays from 10AM-10PM, (closed July 4th). Stop by during business hours or call 644-9418 for more information.

After hearing several Las Vegas mama’s cries for help finding new places to have their child’s birthday parties, Transition Services Project Manager, Angela Esler-Whelan, replied with “Why not Studio 8 Ten?”. Knowing several of the individual artists who attend the programs have expressed interest in working with kids, it seemed like the perfect equation…one amazing venue, plus tons of crafty talent and workers who are always willing to rise to a challenge (even if it means working on a Saturday!) could equal an unforgettable day for a local 4-year-old and her family.

Using mostly recycled materials, under the direction of staff designer & artist Stephanie Martinez, a castle, along with princess, knight, and dragon costumes were created as blank palettes for the kids to decorate. As the three Studio 8 Ten artists who agreed to give up their Saturday afternoons, Megan, Karen, and John arrived, they got a new perspective on the bustling place they come to work everyday…a quiet, calm place…for a short time.

Megan commented as she worked on the last minute details of creating princess gowns out of pillowcases, “Why would someone want to have a birthday party here when they could go to Chuck E. Cheese?”. As the family and party guests arrived and the children dug into paint, brushes, and their own imaginations, her questions soon changed to a very excited “why would anyone go to Chuck E. Cheese when they could come here?” Good question, soon to be answered by the children and their families with “they wouldn’t”, and “this was the best birthday party we have ever been to!” One mom shared that her sons go to most birthday parties interested the entire time only in the birthday cake. At their Studio 8 Ten painting party, they didn’t even eat cake, they were too busy dressing up in freshly painted knight costumes, and warding off friends dressed in their self-decorated dragon suits.

“None of us knew what to expect, this was an experimental thing we did to try something new that would bring the community into the studio…we only new that it would be an experience we did not want these families to forget,” said Angela. Because of the unknown nature of the event and the children, ranging from age 4 to age 9, each person working was left working pretty much independently to make sure water was changed, brushes were cleaned, and the needs of the guests were happily met. The 3 individual workers rose to the occasion with flying colors, did whatever needed to be done, and ensured everyone had a great time with little to no direction from staff. Everyone was beaming with pride as they said good-bye to the kids and cleaned up the aftermath.

Since April, the studio has been open on Saturdays, hosting a range of classes, workshops, and events like the Birthday Party and, of course, for shopping in the gift store.

• Each first Saturday of the month is a children’s art class.
• Second Saturday is an adult art class, both taught by professional local artist Elizabeth Young.
• Third Saturday is an all-ages beginner’s scrapbooking workshop hosted by local crafter Jessica Zygmont.
• 4th Saturday changes depending on the demand for the space.

New classes, such as yoga, jewelry making, and knitting are in the works to be added in the future. For a complete listing of classes and events, visit Studio 8 Ten and pick up a schedule, or call 644-9418 for more details.

Got an event you’d like to hold at Studio 8 Ten? Contact Studio 8 Ten for availability and rates.