New Main Street studio aims to make creativity child-centred
On the first of September, a new arts space will open in downtown Newmarket with a promise to put children in charge of the creative process. Lemmy Create Art Studio, a play-based studio named after its founder’s youngest daughter, will operate as a drop-in space focused on open-ended projects designed to build creativity, independence and problem-solving in young visitors.
The studio is located at 237 Main St. S., a short walk from Newmarket’s historic downtown core. Its founder, a single parent who grew up in Newmarket and later lived in British Columbia and Orillia, said the idea developed from a mix of professional experience in art direction and several years spent homeschooling her two older children.
“Lemmy was my inspiration for this idea,” she said. “She was the reason to pivot and stay in Newmarket and build, contributing to something for a community I love.”
The proprietor launched the concept while pregnant with Lemmy after a family separation, describing the decision to open the studio as a turning point. She completed local business supports and secured the Main Street premises about three months ago. Operating a small business while raising three children on her own has been demanding, she said, but those challenges also strengthened her resolve to bring the studio to the community.
Services at launch and near-term plans
At opening, Lemmy Create Art Studio will offer drop-in sessions and hosting for birthday parties. Programming is centred on child-led, hands-on activities rather than instructor-directed lessons, allowing children to experiment and make independent choices in their work. The founder also signalled plans to expand activities to include teens and adults over time.
Within roughly three months of opening, the studio expects to introduce larger public events described as open art galas. There will also be dedicated low-sensory sessions with reduced lighting and softer sound for children who benefit from quieter environments.
| Offering | Planned start |
|---|---|
| Drop-in art sessions | Sept. 1 (opening) |
| Birthday parties | Sept. 1 (opening) |
| Open art galas | About three months after opening |
| Low-sensory programming | Rolling out at launch and thereafter |
Local roots and a community focus
The founder emphasised a desire to remain in Newmarket and to contribute to the town she considers home. Her professional background in art and years spent educating her children at home informed the focus on hands-on, exploratory learning. She said that similar learning environments were more common in British Columbia and that she hoped to bring that approach to families in York Region.
For downtown Newmarket, the arrival of Lemmy Create Art Studio adds a small, experiential business that caters to families — a demographic that supports weekday downtown foot traffic and community-oriented programming. The Main Street location positions the studio among existing shops, cafes and services that together shape the downtown atmosphere.
- Studio name: Lemmy Create Art Studio
- Address: 237 Main St. S., Newmarket
- Opening date: Sept. 1
- Initial offerings: drop-in sessions, birthday parties; later: art galas, teen/adult programming, low-sensory sessions
The builder of this new venture framed the move as both personal and practical — a decision born of family circumstances and a wish to fill a gap she had noticed while living elsewhere. By focusing on play-based art and inclusive scheduling, the studio aims to be accessible to a broad cross-section of families, including those seeking quieter options for children who require them.
As Newmarket continues to balance growth and the preservation of its small-town feel, small enterprises like Lemmy Create Art Studio are likely to influence how residents — especially young families — engage with the downtown core. The studio’s success will depend on local uptake and how well it integrates into existing community offerings for children and parents.
More detailed schedules, registration information and pricing were not available at the time of publication. Residents interested in the new studio can expect information to become available as the Sept. 1 opening approaches.
