Pandemic Project to Creative Powerhouse: Inside Creative House of Art & Design

By Kekeletso Nkele, small.news Assistant

(small.news) — What began as a boredom-fueled pandemic experiment has grown into one of the most vibrant creative spaces in the Northern Kentucky area.

Creative House of Art & Design was founded during the height of COVID-19, when its owner—known affectionately as Mr. Chad—began selling his artwork from home. The goal was simple: See what was possible.

By saving proceeds from art sales, Mr. Chad secured a physical location and launched what would become a multi-location creative hub for children and adults alike. Opening during the pandemic was anything but easy. Capacity limits, event restrictions, and delayed plans for a bar could have stalled progress. However, Mr. Chad adapted, following public health regulations while still growing, attracting customers, and thriving.

A Space Designed to Make People Smile

Creative House of Art & Design was built intentionally as a space where both adults and children feel welcome. The studio hosts a wide range of programming, including birthday parties, art classes, summer camps, workshops, and adult-focused events like drink-and-draw and drag-themed creative nights.

Its retail offerings are equally eclectic, from art supplies and adult coloring books to handmade earrings, stickers, and playful knick-knacks designed to spark joy.

Since opening, the business has hosted more than 600 birthday parties, ranking among the top 10 birthday party venues in the area. It has also earned recognition as the city’s number one summer camp destination, while its bar has been named one of Cincinnati’s Top 10.

A hidden bar tucked into the back of the space offers adults a place to unwind, sip a drink, and reconnect with creativity—reinforcing the studio’s mission of art as an experience, not just a product.

Growing Beyond the Studio

Today, Creative House of Art & Design operates three locations and sells every weekend at Findlay Market, one of the city’s most iconic community marketplaces.

But the founder’s work doesn’t stop at the storefront. In addition to running the business, he serves as an art educator at multiple schools. He leads after-school programming at Ludlow Elementary and Ludlow Middle School and teaches K–5 students as an art teacher at Crescent Ridge Academy in Kentucky.

“If we’re not laughing and having fun, then I’m doing my job wrong,” he explained.

Creativity on Screen and in the Community

Creative House of Art & Design has also become a familiar name on local television. The studio has been featured multiple times on Cincy Lifestyle, where Mr. Chad creates live art projects, collaborates with hosts, and shares easy, fun ways for families to get creative at home.

The exposure has helped extend the studio’s reach while staying true to its core mission: accessible creativity for everyone.

The Reward of Building Something That Matters

Owning a business, the founder admits, has been the hardest thing he has ever done—but also the most rewarding.

“I’ve seen a lot of people come into the shop and just smile,” he said. “That means the world to me.”

From a COVID-era side project to a thriving creative institution, Creative House of Art & Design is a reminder that small businesses built with heart, adaptability, and community at their core can grow into something far bigger than originally imagined.

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