New art store opens in Driver

Published 9:25 pm Thursday, October 6, 2016

Driver celebrated the grand opening of a new business last Friday.

Twisted Art and More, located at 3117B Kings Highway, will fill a void in the area.

“This is the beginning of my dream come true,” said Pam English, the new business owner.

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Mayor Linda Johnson, Councilman Roger Fawcett, artists and loved ones were all in attendance for the store’s ribbon cutting.

“This is an organically-grown business,” Johnson said. “She is going to do a great job here.”

English recalled driving past the building for several months and was sold on using the location as the site for her potential business. When she got news the space was being vacated earlier this summer, she immediately hopped on board and occupied the property.

“When she has something on her mind, it doesn’t change too much,” said David English, Pam’s husband.

The building was erected in 1850, according to English. Despite the building’s age, the interior was in good condition and only required additional painting, minor fixtures and décor.

The store exhibits an array of art forms to include crotchet, upholstery, ink drawings and much more. All of the material is either handcrafted or repurposed, according to English.

“There is a unique mix that we have,” English said. “You’re just not going to find anything else like it.”

More than 25 Hampton Roads artists currently have their work featured on the store’s shelves. English said the artists rent out designated areas in the store.

In addition, there are areas of the store with mixed crafts and works from the different artists.

The store sprung up at the right time, as there seems to be a trend of “more people going to small communities for crafting,” said Katie Gray, owner of Katie’s Crafts @ Home and one of Twisted Art and More’s featured artists.

Courtney Wallace, owner of Anchors Away Furniture and another featured artist, agreed the store helps satisfy the demand in the area.

“Driver needed to be revived in a different way,” Wallace said.

The store will also offer craft courses and community events for the approaching months. The courses, which will be taught by either Pam or her featured artists, will focus on a variety of art mediums, with most courses catering to all ages.

For more information, visit Twisted Art and More’s Facebook page or contact twistedartandmore@gmail.com or 935-5055.