King Street's Newest Creators

Q&A with the Studio Artists of Creatives on King

BY HANNAH BEARD | MARKETING & MERCHANT ENGAGEMENT MANAGER

Creatives on King is the newest art gallery in the Royal Square District, Downtown York’s destination for art. Around the two-story art gallery, art of all mediums is displayed in no particular category on shelves and walls to encourage visitors to explore the space and appreciate each piece. Collectively, there are works from 25 artists in the gallery, but three creators hold studio space on the second floor: Studio artists, Debbie Toluba and Nicole Osborne, and owner, Reagan Bitler.

ARTIST BIOS

DEBBIE TOLUBA began painting in 2021 and focuses on exploring color and texture in each unique piece of her abstract, colorful art. Debbie, a newlywed, lives, works, and plays in Downtown York.

REAGAN BITLER uses dark line pyrography and the application of vibrant colors to turn raw gourds into works of art, a skill he has been mastering for over a decade. He is the President of the American Gourd Society. godahavomgourds.com

NICOLE OSBORNE teaches eighth-grade art at a local middle school and owns a business, Reptile Smiles, where she integrates her love for animals and artmaking to students of all ages. Nicole’s personal art themes include womanhood and nature in ceramics, oil, and mixed mediums. reptilesmiles.com

THREE QUESTIONS WITH THE THREE CREATORS

Q: Why did you choose Downtown York as the location for Creatives on King?

DEBBIE: In 2021 I started making art and had a space at The Grotto. I was ready for a space where I could more easily sell my art. I liked the vision of art and opportunity for Creatives on King, that I could have a studio and sell. The Royal Square District is a centralized mass of the same type of business. I have always been a supporter of the York arts scene and watched the artists from afar. It’s neat to be a part of that now.

REAGAN: York has the market appeal. The Royal Square District is already an established destination with foot traffic.

NICOLE: I am trying to be more emersed in the York Community. I’ve enjoyed the mentorship and dedication to propping up the arts in York. The priority here (Royal Square District) is small business, specifically the arts. The Cultural Alliance has really given next level mentorship and pushed me beyond what I thought I’d be able to achieve.

Q: What makes Creatives on King unique?

REAGAN: We each have a working studio that is visible to the public. Artists can create work here and display it for sale in their studio or anywhere around the building. We also have a classroom space where we teach on site, host events like First Friday, or hold private classes.

DEBBIE: Creatives on King is a journey through the arts with a wide variety of 2D and 3D mediums in a range of price points that appeal to the community.

Q: What is in store for the future of Creatives on King?

NICOLE: I want to work on growing myself as an artist. I spend my time teaching and want to have a space that can be a focus for learning more skills. I am working towards my Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and plan to host art therapy classes in our classroom.

DEBBIE: My goal is to continue to explore my artistic style and figure out what type of work is marketable for the community. I want to give a fun experience to those that visit.

REAGAN: We want to feature more 3D art and continue to involve all mediums of art.

VISIT CREATIVES ON KING DURING FIRST FRIDAY: Each month, Creatives on King hosts a FREE make-and-take art experience for all ages while supplies last. Visitors can drop by the upstairs classroom any time between 5pm and 9pm to participate. 104

Creatives on King | 104 E. King Street, York, PA 17401 | 717.586.8456 | creative-on-king.com

ADDITIONAL GALLERIES IN THE ROYAL SQUARE DISTRICT:

OMG STUDIOS | 57 E King St.

THE PARLIAMENT ARTS ORGANIZATION | 116 E. King St. | parliamentyork.org

HIVE ARTSPACE GALLERY & STUDIOS | 126 E. King St. | hiveartspace.com

VENTURE | 128 E. King St.

STUDIO 117 | 117 S. Duke St. | Studio117york.com

PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN YORK | 133 S. Duke St. | pcad.edu

THE DARK PARLOUR | 118 E. King St. | thedarkparlour.com

KING’S COURTYARD ARTISTS’ COLLECTIVE | 124 E. King St. | kingscourtyardgallery.com