The loft space above Zeal Salon & Co. at 121 E. 1st is now home to MH Art Studio. MH is Maya Haggerty, 23, a Claflin native who had a dream of owning a studio, and in August, made that dream come true.

“I had that on my vision board for most of the year,” Haggerty said. “Last year I decided I wanted to open the art studio.”

A vision board is a tool people can use to guide themselves to achieving their goals; it is usually a visual representation of dreams and aspirations — a fitting instrument for an artist.

“I have a vision board that my plans go on,” Haggerty said.

The Barton Community College student is pursuing a fine arts degree while running her studio and substituting as a fulltime art teacher at Ellsworth Jr./Sr. High School. A busy woman, her pursuits are fitting as she was raised in an artistic environment.

“My mom is an artist and musician,” Haggerty said. “That is how I picked up wanting to be an artist and having a creative mind.”

A passed down tradition, art became more than that for Haggerty; it became cathartic and soothing.

“I have struggled with some mental health and traumatic events in my life, and art has been an outlet for me to express myself and heal,” she said. “It’s really just a part of who I am.”

When Haggerty moved in above Zeal Salon, she kept with the modern, mechanical motif of the space. She can host up to 16 people at a time in the studio.

“It’s an industrialstyle building, so I went with that when I moved and decorated it,” she said. “I really like the rawness of the building and the industrial look.”

Haggerty’s favorite medium is acrylic paint, which is the foundation of the studio where she offers Paint&Sip classes, kids’ paints and private parties. In addition, she is hosting a special Valentine’s Day class, Sweetheart Paint&Sip for couples at 6 p.m. Feb. 14.

Paint&Sips are held on a weekly basis, usually Friday evenings. They include complimentary refreshments and snacks.

On Feb. 3 Haggerty held a kids’ paint class that, for the first time since she opened, was full.

“There is no age limit, but most often it’s adults who come in and do the Paint&Sip,” she said. “You don’t do any clean-up or set up, you just sip and paint and take your stuff with you.”

The cost for Paint&Sips is usually $30 per participant, kids’ paints are $20 per participant and private parties are $25 unless there are 10 or more participants, then it’s $20 per participant.

“I hosted a girl’s birthday party back in November,” Haggerty said. “I had so much fun with that, so I’m hoping to book more of those this year.”

The studio is good for any age and for amateurs to experts — no one is excluded. For more information on the offerings, call or text Haggerty at (620) 639-2445.

“MH Art Studio is a place where anyone can bring out their inner artist, no matter who you are,” she said. “Nobody is an artist in one day — it all takes time. I’m still improving every day as an artist. It’s OK to embrace the mistakes. I just want people to come in and have a really good time while they are painting and connect with other people. I want them to gain confidence in becoming an artist also.”