Today we’d like to introduce you to Tina Jackson.
Tina, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Art Nest Retreat Center is a dream project that had been percolating for several years. My husband and I began looking for buildings to open a retreat center. I have always wanted to own and renovate a church so originally we began looking for a church. We put in several offers on church facilities but when those deals fell through w returned to the barndominium building in Agency Missouri we had seen months earlier. We had loved the uniqueness of the building from the first visit but had wanted to be closer to north Kansas City where we live but decided to go for it and purchased the building. We began renovations in October 2023 and opened in May 2024. Art Nest Retreat Center was created for artist to gather, spend time with other artists, and to work on their craft for several days straight with no distractions. We paid special attentions to all the needs that artist require to be comfortable and enjoy their stay at the facility. We are located in Agency Missouri with a country feel which provides calm and serenity. The building was decorated in our personal favorite mid century modern flair and has a fun retro feel. Art Nest provides all the amenities needed to work on your craft with your friends and fellow artist!!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Renovations of a property always present challenges but the process went as well as could be expected. We had firm ideas but also wanted to go with the flow of what made sense in the space and what was economically possible within our budget. We of course went over budget and find more resources is always a challenge but we made it work.
Once we opened the hardest part was marketing. We had built a 12,000 square foot facility in the country and needed to get the word out to the art community that we were open and ready for business.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I have owned and operated Apartment Complexes in Kansas City since 1994 and real estate has always been my main business. In 2010 I embarked on a creative journey and began quilting. My Grandmother was a quilter and I had always watched her piece and hand quilt. I unfortunately did not learn from her but I remembered the process and with her influence in my mind I began my creative journey. I began quilting and joined the Kansas City Modern Quilt Guild where a whole new world of creatives and community opened up to me. The Kansas City metro is a mecca of quilters, with over 25 guilds, famous quilters, fabulous quilt shops and home of the Kansas City Regional Quilt Festival. My quilting skills improved, I met a group of quilt friends and my journey was well underway. One way quilters connect is to bring your individual craft and gather with your friends and attend quilt retreats. My first quilt retreat changed my life, I met my friends who I still quilt with, learned new skills, and felt part of a larger community. Often the facilities we would attended were booked years in advance and often there were long waitlists to attend. Often we would say “we should open a quilt retreat center ” and eventually I did just that.!!! With my background in property management and love of quilt retreats I merged my business interests in quilting arts with real estate and Art Nest Retreat Center came to fruition.
Art Nest Retreat Center is an art retreat Center for all crafts, quilters, scrapbookers, painters, etc. The facility has 28 work stations with adjustable tables and chairs, Each artist get 2 tables and a comfy adjustable chair. The Center has 2 kitchens, 2 living rooms, a hot tub and a massage chair. There are 11 bedrooms with comfortable beds. The center sleeps 28 as well. We have dedicated lighting made for the space and natural light as well. We also features a quilt library which has a collection of over 1000 quilt books. Art Nest Retreat Center was made for artists to spend 4 to 7 days to work on their craft uninterrupted from the distractions of home. We host quilt shop retreats, friend groups, guilds and clubs. Art Nest has a great reputation for being the Kansas City areas premier Retreat Center. Booking is available on our website at artnestretreat.com We love to foster artist creative adventures !!
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
Visiting my grandparents in rural Kansas when they helped operate and lived at a county home for the elderly. The house was big, the kitchen huge as my grandmother cooked for the facility, and it was on a small farm, my grandparents had a garden and a horse. We played in the fields, and in the creek, caught crawdads, tadpoles, grasshoppers. We were city kids from Topeka and farm life was fun for the weekends!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://artnestretreat.com
- Instagram: artnestretreatcenter
- Facebook: artnestretreat
