Stage and Screen Academy
Albuquerque, NM In 2023, Marissa and Chris Barretto, co-owners of Stage & Screen Academy, reached out to WESST seeking capital, marketing guidance, and business consulting. The husband-and-wife duo had a shared vision: to create a performing arts academy that gave Albuquerque children a place to explore acting, audition techniques, filmmaking, and more. Marissa, an educator, and Chris, a film industry professional, were inspired to start the school after searching in vain for
Charmed
Kirtland, NM Hailey embarked on her entrepreneurial journey at a young age, focused on crafting and selling exquisite stone and crystal jewelry, alongside other distinctive handmade items. Constrained by health challenges, she found herself unable to thrive in a conventional education environment, but she resolved to dedicate her time to the creation of artisan products. The opportunity for Hailey to manage her own business has provided with a valuable outlet, enabling her to
Barro by Lucrecia
Lucrecia creates ceramic tableware and decor collections. Every piece is hand-crafted and thoughtfully designed, including collections of plates, bowls, cups, pitchers, and teapots. She also creates gifts & home decor like large and small flower vases, vessels, pots, and jugs to accent any room in the house. Made by hand in Santa Fe, New Mexico, each piece is worked with care and designed to give sensations of joy and well-being. Whether hand-built or wheel-thrown, each desig
Clayful Blossoms
Olga Atkinson had, what she referred to as, a “hobby project,” with her daughter and mother. Together, the three of them would make beautiful objects out of clay and give them away for free in the community. One day, someone asked if she would ever sell them, something she had never considered. She turned to WESST to see if her family project could become a viable business. “I eventually knew that WESST and my community would lead me in the right direction,” says Olga. “I ha
Dancing Turtle Studios, LLC
Dancing Turtle Studios LLC, owned by artist Cande Toner, started out as Hiwassee Mountain Crafters in Delano, Tennessee. Cande took numerous workshops in enameling and jewelry making at the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts and John C. Campbell Folk Art School to develop her style. She specializes in enamel on copper tiles which are turned into framed mosaic artwork as well as a popular line of inspiring enameled Mosaic jewelry. Enameling is the ancient process of fusing g
Dodysdodat Creations
Dodysdodat Creations is jewelry made by Mary Bevers. Mary started making jewelry when she was 9 years old. After making jewelry for her friends and family as gifts, she decided to take her jewelry-making passion seriously and turn it into a business. She has been using her own funds and support from her husband to purchase all her supplies and materials needed to make her jewelry. Mary creates earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and rosaries. She is also learning how to do photog
Duran’s Window Painting LLC & Flor y Canto Fine Art
Duran’s Window Painting LLC provides unique window art and murals for all Holidays, seasons, and occasions. Marissa currently works with both residential and commercial clients in Rio Rancho, Albuquerque, and other surrounding areas, including Southern Colorado. She produces high-quality and unique designs that bring color and joy to the community year-round. Flor y Canto Fine Art is the other side of her business where she creates original artwork that celebrates her culture
Golden Anderson Studios
Golden Anderson Studios is a working studio and showroom specializing in original handmade jewelry, expert jewelry repair, and custom jewelry design. David started making jewelry in 1982, Gail started making jewelry in 2000. They met in a jewelry class and joined forces after marrying in 2008. Each was making jewelry part-time while working elsewhere. They were able to make their business full-time in 2017. Both Gail and David have attended workshops given by WESST over the y
Healing Voices
JoAnne grew up in Pittsburgh and was always interested in the arts, especially dance. When she was 15 she saw an ad in Dance Magazine for Perry-Mansfield, a performing arts camp in Steamboat Springs, Colorado where Helen Tamaris, a pioneer modern dancer and Broadway choreographer, would be teaching. She wanted to go and her parents said they would cover the tuition if she could pay for the transportation. So she started teaching dance classes in her basement to earn her trave