Due to demand Tinker expands with second location in city

A surge in hen’s parties means a Toowoomba art studio is booked out until July, but the owner is expanding with a second studio to keep up with demand.

A Toowoomba arts studio is expanding and opening a second location due to the demand for classes.

Tinker was launched in 2018 after owner and artist Alex Stalling returned to the workforce after maternity leave. Tinker is referred to as an art school which offers classes for adults and children.

Ms Stalling said she always felt Toowoomba would benefit from an independent art workshop that connected the community with professional artists.

“We offer lots of creative classes including traditional forms of art to modern techniques,” she said.

Alex Stalling is opening a second store for Tinker in Russell St. Tuesday. 9th Mar 2021 Picture: Nev Madsen

“We really wanted to find that middle space between the ‘just for fun’ paint workshop venues and a professional development fine art course.

“At Tinker you are going to have a fun and relaxing experience while learning about different tools of the trade and art techniques all from career artists.”

Classes are for beginners and beyond.

Tinker also hosts hen’s parties which are becoming increasingly popular, so much so, it is booked out for months in advance.

Ms Stalling said it was a huge decision to open a second location after the COVID-19 pandemic.

“As a small business, particularly in the arts after everything that happened last year, we have been toying with the idea of opening a second location for a few months now, but the proof was in our booking calendar, our current studio is fully booked until July,” she said.

“The support of our community over this time has been amazing, and it allows us as a space to bridge some of the employment gap many regional creatives are feeling.

“So a second location in the Toowoomba CBD seemed right for everyone.”

Tinker will open at 76 Russell Street on April 1.