The Monarch, Ogden’s destination for creative connection, announces the next tenant for its newly renovated building as the Art Box, an interactive candle making and artist studio, as well as a gift boutique currently located on Historic 25th Street. Since its opening in 2017, Art Box has become a favorite shop for locals and visitors for discovering unique and unusual gifts, attending art classes, and making one-of-a-kind candles. This August, the shop and studio joins The Monarch’s unique artistic community, which includes creative studio members, WB’s wine café and coffee house, O1ARTS, event venues and more. Art Box will remain open in its current location on 25th Street through the summer.
“Being a part of the experience created at The Monarch is an exciting opportunity that we are thrilled to be a part of,” says Art Box owner Judy Kelly. “We can feel the magic being generated there with the other collaborative artists – and with the creative look and feel the Monarch offers. We look forward to a synergistic and artistic time at Monarch, with old and new friends.” Kelly owns Art Box with her long-time friend and business partner, Deanna Leslie.
Art Box will occupy a 2,500 square-foot space on the east side of The Monarch building with a windowed storefront facing 25th Street. Currently undergoing renovations, the space will feature an enlarged candle-making studio that opens up to The Monarch’s creative studios, and a designated area for art classes, workshops and private parties. Art Box will hold classes throughout the year on mediums of all types including painting, pottery, jewelry and metalsmithing, needle and wet felting, fused glass, basket weaving and more. Along with The Monarch’s creative studios, Art Box will participate in Ogden’s First Friday Art Stroll with local artist features and demonstrations. In its new location, the shop will also become a resource for Monarch weddings in offering custom candles, centerpieces, gift registries and wrapping.
About Art Box
Art Box takes pride in offering a wide variety of uncommon goods including home décor, fun men’s and women’s items, greeting cards, inspirational books, original art and more. Owners Kelly and Leslie thoughtfully hand-select the shop’s unique merchandise, which is made by local and global artisans and craftsman. Ever-changing shelves are filled with rare and unusual wares, providing visitors with fresh and unexpected experiences every time they visit. Kelly and Leslie designed Art Box to “ignite the creative gifts held within each one of us.” Using the base model of create-your-own candle business that Kelly built when living in Southern California, she and Leslie expanded the vision to craft a truly unique retail experience that opened its doors in downtown Ogden in September 2017. Both coming from hometowns where they were surrounded by art, Kelly from Laguna Beach and Leslie from Seattle, it was a natural metamorphosis to cultivate a space where artistic creation could take hold and grow within the community.
About The Monarch
The Monarch is a collaborative environment where artists, creative businesses and makers of all types can connect, inspire and create together in the heart of Ogden’s Nine Rails Creative District. With the belief that creativity drives communities, The Monarch strives to provide the region with uniquely artful experiences through artist engagement, creative dining and memorable events. The 60,000 square foot historic building has been renovated to encompass creative studios, event venues, exhibition space, retail and restaurants. The Monarch is now open for events, while its creative studio space, WB’s coffee house and wine café, and Art Box will activate later this summer. O1ARTS plans to begin curating art exhibitions this fall at XIBIT.
