By Kayla Phelps

Shumaker’s Art Supply is reopening its doors for the Lexington community this week. After relocating to the Kenwick neighborhood from Old Vine Street, storeowners Doug and Debbie Hicks are working to attract local residents.

Debbie Hicks she and Doug decided to relocate because they wanted a bigger place that had a bigger gallery, and because she did not like the management company and its practices that took over the old building.

The current location was chosen because the Kenwick area is an up-and-coming art community, Debbie Hicks said.

“It’s going to be a big art community eventually,” Debbie Hicks said.

Shumaker’s new location will offer classes like painting, drawing, watercolor and bookbinding, Debbie Hicks said.

Debbie Hicks said she also wants to offer an accrylic painting class.

The goal is to get art selling again for local artists and to educate people on art and how to paint, Debbie Hicks said.

In addition to art classes, Shumaker’s will have an art exhibit with over 100 paintings from about 16 local artists, Debbie Hicks.

Artists with works in the exhibit include Connie Tucker, Chris Huestis, John Tuska, Janet Wozniak and Elaine Horn, according to a news release.

Three of the featured artists are former UK faculty: John Regis Tuska, Jim Foose and Ross Zirkle, Debbie Hicks said.

Debbie Hicks said Shumaker’s will not be featuring artists outside of Kentucky because she believes Kentucky artists need a venue of their own.

Debbie Hicks said there are a number of art facilities and stores around the Kenwick area, and said Zeigler Stained Glass and Kentucky Mudworks are both nearby.

Zig Zeigler, owner of Zeigler Stained Glass, said he hopes the Kenwick area will be a draw for more artists.

“I’d love to see this whole area become a magnet for the arts,” Zeigler said.

The open house will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at Shumaker’s new location, 821 National Ave., Debbie Hicks said.

“We’re trying to get more artists to come into the neighborhood,” Debbie Hicks said.