I’m a big fan of alliteration, so I don’t resist the urge to use it when it fits (hence the title of this post). In this case, it also combines some of my favorite things! Here's a recap of what I've been up lately.
Over the past several months, I’ve had the opportunity to connect with local businesses and organizations to share creativity in the community. I plan to continue this endeavor in the new year, and look forward to new and continued opportunities!
As a former classroom-based art teacher, I believe that art education should not be confined to just a school building. My work as an independent contractor with Art with a Heart has opened my eyes to the possibilities of expanding art programming to a wide range of ages, locations, and abilities. Despite some setbacks and disappointments in facilitating some my own creative events (mainly due to low registration), I've learned a lot and I am grateful for the experiences. It's true that you'll never know unless you try! Just yesterday, I came across this video, and it really helped me put things in perspective.
Below are some photos and descriptions of classes, programs, and workshops I've held at various locations this year.
The Natural History Society of Maryland
The Natural History Society of Maryland is a hidden gem of a museum nestled in Overlea, Maryland. Over the summer, I chatted with some of the volunteers at an event the museum was hosting. When I mentioned that I was a former Baltimore County art teacher and would be open to teaching some classes at NHSM, I was put in contact with their educational programming coordinator. Together, we planned a workshop connecting the natural history of Maryland's state fossil, the Ecphora, and observational drawing. I had no idea there was such a thing as a state fossil up until that point!
Bubala Indoor Playground
Bubala Indoor Playground is an indoor gym for ages 7 and under. They opened their Perry Hall location over the summer, and I thought it would be a great place to facilitate weekly art classes for young children. The owner, Mark, was very open to the idea, and offered one of the party rooms to hold the classes. The first official session kicked off at the beginning of October, with the final session of 2024 happening next week. The class is structured to include a greeting/movement song, a story, sensory station, and art exploration, each relating to the weekly theme.
White Marsh Tiny Tots
White Marsh Tiny Tots is a half-day program for 4-year olds in the area, organized through the White Marsh Recreation Council. I was recently hired through White Marsh Rec to facilitate youth art programs, including a summer art camp in 2025. The director of the Tiny Tots program asked if I would be interested in organizing monthly art workshops for their group, and I was excited for the opportunity. We've held two hour-long workshops so far, with the next one coming up on December 13th. I structure these classes similarly to the classes at Bubala, beginning with a story to introduce our topic, sharing an art example, and then providing open-ended art instruction for the participants. My goal in working with this younger age group (which I do not have as much experience with) is allowing them to explore new materials, processes, and themes, while also teaching art techniques and basic skills.
View more photos and videos on my art education Instagram account, here!
Now, to switch gears, while still staying on topic with the title: sharing about my visits to a number of local coffee shops/cafés, each with their own unique characteristics and overall vibe. I can't help but pay attention to these attributes, because they are essential to building brand identity. My work in branding focuses on the visual components, where everything should tie together. It's important that the look, feel, and overall tone of a brand connects with its audience. This is especially true with brick and mortar businesses, where the physical space can influence the overall experience.
Last year I started a coffee blog series, writing about local coffee shops/cafés to share my experiences in working remotely, while both supporting local businesses and getting a change of scenery from my own house. What I’ve found is that some places are great for remote work, while others are better for a quick meeting, socializing, or for purchasing to-go. I've highlighted a few below. You can read about other places and experiences by clicking on the category Local Coffee at the end of this post.
Most recently, I visited A Little Lovely Coffee House in Queenstown, MD. The trip was not work-related, but this spot is worth noting because it is SO cute and I feel like others should know about it!
A Little Lovely Coffee House
Address: 430 Outlet Center Drive , Queenstown, MD, United States, 21658
Hours: M-Sat. 9 am-7pm, Sun. 9 am-6pm
The Space
This coffee shop is located in the Queenstown Outlets Shopping Center. I met some friends there before heading to a salt cave session at SALT Wellness (another awesome spot if you’re ever in the area!) The shop really does have a lovely aesthetic, with bright green walls and plant murals, plus a bunch of real plants throughout. There are several different places to sit, and the space has great natural lighting from the large windows along the front of the building.
Menu
A Little Lovely Coffee Shop offers a variety of coffee options, teas, refreshers and smoothies, as well as oatmeal, chia pudding, and yogurt bowls. I got the coffee flight and a s’more oatmeal bowl that were both on their specials menu. View the full menu here.
Amenities
√ Free Wi-Fi
√ Outdoor Seating
√ Free Parking Lot (shared with the shopping center)
Overall
I really enjoyed this spot, and I would go there often if I lived a bit closer. It’s definitely worth checking out if you are at the Queenstown outlets or live in the vicinity.
The day before I went to A Little Lovely Coffee Shop, I had a meeting at Baltimore Coffee in Timonium, MD. This quaint coffee shop is nestled in the Aylesbury Business Center off Aylesbury Road in Timonium. I didn’t get a chance to snap any photos since it was busy and a bit crowded. Although it was great for a coffee meeting, it was not best-suited for sitting to work. However, Aveley Farms Timonium Cafe & Roastery was very close by. I hadn’t been to this location before, but after visiting, I noticed that it was pretty similar to its Towson location. The Timonium location was spacious, well-lit, had a large outdoor seating area, and free parking. I also learned that Aveley Farms teamed up with Diamondback Brewing to create this unique space and concept, perfect for co-working and/or grabbing coffee and a bite to eat. I also didn’t get any photos at this location, but more details and photos can be found on Diamondback’s website.
The Roast in Glen Arm, MD has become one of my new favorite local coffee shops. It’s just a short scenic drive from my house in Perry Hall. The Roast hosts community events, including a recent arts festival that featured products from several local artists and small businesses. It is evident that this coffee shop values community and highlights other locally-owned businesses. They also have a community bulletin board for business cards. Below are some other details about The Roast if you’re planning to make a visit:
The Roast Coffee and Cafe
Address: 5205 Glen Arm Rd E, Glen Arm, MD 21057
Hours: M-Sun. 6 am-3 pm
The Space
This coffee shop is located at the corner of Glen Arm Road and Glen Arm Road E, and was converted from an old train station (as seen in the black and white photo above). The indoor space has a few small tables on one side, and a few comfy chairs and a couch on the other side.
Menu
The Roast has a variety of hot and iced coffee drinks, specialty teas, sandwiches, wraps, and pastries. The full menu can be found here.
Amenities
√ Free Wi-Fi
√ Outdoor Seating
√ Free Parking Lot
√ Separate Event Space
Overall
This is one of my go-to spots to get out of the house for remote work. I also enjoy having meetings and social coffee meetups at this location. The Roast can get very busy/crowded during certain hours, so indoor seating may be limited.
A few other Baltimore-based cafés I checked out this year for meetings and co-working include Pitango Bakery + Cafe in Fells Point, Good Neighbor in Hampden, Ovenbird Bakery in Highlandtown, and The Bun Shop in Mount Vernon (open late). Each space had its own memorable qualities and decor.
I’m a firm believer in the importance of supporting and working with locally-owned businesses and organizations. It can lead to new opportunities, an expanded network, and a strengthened community.
How do you support locally-owned businesses? Are you involved in any local organizations? I'd love to hear about your experiences!
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