ARTGARDEN Pottery receives award

SEATTLE - ARTGARDEN Pottery received an award Wednesday for helping to revitalize downtown Moses Lake.

The business received an "Outstanding Economic Restructuring Project" award at the Washington State Main Street Program's Excellence on Main Awards ceremony in Chelan.

The Excellence on Main Awards recognize communities, organizations and individuals who help achieve economic vitality and build sustainable communities through downtown revitalization and preservation.

Owner Laura Mayer operates ARTGARDEN Pottery as a gift shop gallery featuring artwork by her and other local artists. The shop's Paint Your Own Pottery studio and art classes enable Mayer to share her love of art and craft.

"This store is so much more than a gift shop," said Marianne Kirwin, executive director of the Moses Lake Business Association. "It offers art as entertainment for all ages. In the Paint Your Own Pottery studio, one can drop in and create a masterpiece anytime."

A full class schedule for ages 3 and up offers instruction on everything from making mosaics and glass soldering to watercoloring and pottery-making.

"ARTGARDEN Pottery has impacted and improved our downtown by bringing options to locals and tourists, giving them additional activities at Laketown Landing," said Kirwan.

Mayer recently started "Paint 'til Ya Faint Friday," staying open until midnight with progressive discounts starting at 5 p.m. - the later people stay, the less they pay.

"These have been a huge success and so much fun, bringing over 100 customers to downtown on a  Friday night," said Kirwan.

"We are delighted to honor ARTGARDEN Pottery in Moses Lake with an Economic Restructuring award," said Sarah Hansen, Washington State Main Street coordinator. "The project is a great example of how thinking creatively to diversify your offerings and hours to meet the needs of customers can help bring new economic benefits and energy to downtown."