By Sadie Hunter
The newly minted Noblesville Cultural Arts District will welcome another entity this week in Kaleidoscope Krossing, an arts and community gathering place, which will celebrate its grand opening May 5.
“Kaleidoscope Krossing is all about connecting people through creative arts, through community outreach and through faith,” owner Beth Wood said. “There’s going to be a whole variety of community workshops offered, and the community can also rent the space if they want to. The whole idea of the kaleidoscope is that as the colors change and shapes change, then so do all the things that are going on in our lives, including the classes that are going on here and all the different things that we’re doing.”
Kalaidescope Krossing, housed in the 1920 home that sits at 185 S. Eighth St. in downtown Noblesville, adjacent to the Nickel Plate Arts campus, will offer a series of arts-related workshops and classes that focus on photography, journaling, crafts, performance art and more.
“I want to offer things that you can’t just go anywhere and find,” Wood said. “I’m also trying to keep the price points low. Some of the classes will even be free, but a majority will range between $5 and $20. The whole house is laid out to be very flexible.
“Depending on what the need is, we can do everything from if three or four women want to come over and play dominoes, all the way to maybe three different youth groups coming in from different churches. I’m trying to go with a more laid back and informal feel because that’s what life is. It’s not perfect or polished.”
Wood said her family has lived in Noblesville for more than 15 years and has seen the community transform into what it is now.
“As (the city is) beginning to embrace the arts even more, I’m really excited for Kaleidoscope Krossing to be part of that downtown fabric,” she said. “It’s really just been a year or year-and-a-half since Kaleidoscope Krossing first came into my mind, but the story goes back much farther than that.”
Wood said she has been creative since childhood. Planning to be an architect, she graduated from Ball State University and practiced for a number of years before leaving her full-time job in November to dedicate all of her time to Kaleidoscope Krossing.
“I was inspired a lot by my mom, who is a very creative and artistic person. I think it almost must be in my DNA,” Wood said. “But then the other side of me, the part that really likes to teach and engage with people, that has really come about since I started my career as an architect. About a decade ago, I was asked to lead the middle school and high school youth at (Noblesville) First Presbyterian Church. I really found my passion for teaching and working with others there. And then in architecture, there’s such a strong emphasis on teamwork and collaboration. All of those factors really impacted me, kind of like the kaleidoscope. When this property came onto the market, it seemed like the perfect solution to all these different passions of mine.”
KALEIDOSCOPE KROSSING’S CALENDAR
Grand opening party: From 5 to 9 p.m. May 5, join Kaleidoscope Krossing for its grand opening celebration with a Cinco de Mayo theme. Local artists will have their work on display and will be doing live mini demonstrations. All upcoming workshops will be unveiled, and guests will be entered in multiple drawings for prizes. No RSVP needed.
Bible journaling: From 6:30 to 8 p.m. May 9, Beth Wood will lead this interactive and creative workshop where guests explore Bible journaling in several fun ways, learning how to use creative fonts, play with different coloring techniques, sample various coloring tools and learn how to incorporate your favorite Bible verses.
Photo explorations: From 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. May 3, 10 and 17, these one-part, two-hour Bible studies will explore the photographs from the book “Journeys With the Messiah.” Guests will take photos during the workshops. The photos will be displayed in a gallery exhibit at the end of the series of workshops.
Mother’s Day Make-It and Take-Its: From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 13, guests can take time for their mom and make her a special gift or two for Mother’s Day. All materials for the gifts, which include coaster sets, pendant necklaces, spring wreaths and crosses – are provided. Feel free to bring your mom or a friend. Cost is $5 per set, which can be individual coasters or put together to be hung on the wall. Children and adults can make this fun craft.
Nature Sketchbooks: From 10 to 2 p.m. May 20, local artist Ken Scott will lead this workshop where guests will cover their own journal, create a sketchbook title page and do hands-on sketching at Potter’s Bridge in Noblesville. Guests should pack a lunch. All other materials provided.
To see more events, visit kalkrossing.com.
MEET BETH WOOD
An Ohio native, Beth Wood is a longtime Noblesville resident. Wood practiced as an architect for approximately 10 years before moving into roles in talent management and corporate communications for another 10 years. She is married to Marty. Together they have three daughters, Maddie, 12, and twins Parker and Kenzie, 9. All attend Hazel Dell Elementary. The family also has two dogs, Roger (named after tennis pro Roger Federer), a black lab and border collie mix, and Leia (named after Princess Leia, a bloodhound, German Shepard, boxer mix).
