Historic Main St business in Rivers restored
- Details
- Published on Tuesday, September 1, 2015
By Aeleen Sclater
For the past number of years, still life photographer and online teacher Kim Klassen has been successfully building her business from a small studio in her home in Rivers. One year ago Kim realized the need for a larger studio space to build her business further and began looking for the perfect location. Kim and her husband John were drawn to Carol Hassard's former Carol’s Time Again Treasures shop at 211 Main and saw great potential. In February of this year, Carol handed over the keys of her former building to new owner, Kim Klassen.
Since that moment, many have been curious about what transformation the space would undergo and exactly what would the revitalized space be used for. Originally housing a candy maker, it was followed shortly by Rivers Gazette-Reporter (1909-93) and a second hand shop (Skinner’s Shop on Main, 1994-1996), with the most recent being Carol's Time Again Treasures (1997-2015). The 1908 building had been divided into rooms and areas, including an addition, to serve their purpose. Kim's vision was one of a wide open, white, warehouse-type space with many windows to flood the area with natural light. The building's construction has lent beautifully to making this vision come to light. Some may say it has come in full circle to sweetness.
Interior walls were removed as well as truckloads of old lathe and plaster, revealing a perfect wide-open space. Because Kim photographs her still life works only in natural light, many windows were a must.
Kim Klassen | The Studio is neither a retail shop nor a portrait photography studio open to the public. This space is a private studio where Kim will continue to teach still life photography online —a worldwide classroom if you will, that reaches students around the globe. She will, however, be hosting and teaching a variety of photography workshops in her new studio. Kim is excited to share her space with people near and far through workshop-type experiences. The first workshop, which features a guest teacher from London, England, will be the end of September, with spots filled quickly and enthusiastically by online students and friends who will travel to Rivers from points in United States and Western Canada. Plans are underway for local mini photography workshops as well as seminars on various creatively-inspired topics — please stay tuned!
Kim spends a great deal of time recording classes via video and meets online with students and other artists frequently, so she requires a great deal of quiet during her day. Her sandwich board sign outside her door indicates her work in progress. While the studio is private and not open to the public, Kim has been so grateful to everyone who has cheered her on in this new venue and will welcome one and all to see her space at an open house planned for early October. The date will be announced soon!
Kim is eternally grateful for her husband John's recovery from cancer and his amazing ability to help make this dream a reality. There are so many family and friends who have helped in so many ways.
Kim will have her most faithful furry friend Ben accompanying her daily. Her son Bryce, Bryce Klassen Photo, will be working as videographer. Part-time photo styling assistant Aeleen Sclater and her pup Zoe will be joining the team.
To learn more about what Kim Klassen does and offers online, visit www.kimklassen.com or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
