Mind Unwind is the culmination of a vision for owner Krystal Kelley. It is "an event-driven art studio and gallery" as she describes it but it's much more. It's a classroom, complete with a kitchen, a foundation, an entertainment venue and a kind of play space for the mind. It's also her home.

Kelley, whose career path has taken her through journalism, interior design and real estate was seeking a way to combine her varied skills, interests, and her home life in a single business and Mind Unwind is the result. "I had a dream about a year ago that I lived and worked in the same space." She shares the space with her boyfriend Jason Nivens and two daughters. "We both wanted a place to not only bring art out into the community but to get the community involved in making things. I owned a design business for seven years Stage By Design but sold it in 2009. It kept me away from home a lot and I have two kids and I wanted to be more involved in the community and my children's lives."

"From meditation to music to art and everything imaginable, Mind Unwind is an electric environment for all ages to share ideas and to think outside of the conditioned mind," she writes on the Mind Unwind website.

The gallery rotates exhibits once a month, with a featured artist (February is West Seattle artist Cathy Woo) though other private showings can be arranged. Among the events coming up are Open Mic Night, Writing Groups and Group Drawing Sessions and you can book your own private event.

This spring Kelley is planning an urban farming class, on the rooftop deck, where a grilling class will take place this summer. Since Kelley is also a writer she will be facilitating a writers group out of the space, with all kinds of writing allowed. "It will be about sharing writing, offering critiques and thoughts about writing."

Kelley described some of the other classes, "Pre-School classes, a class called Coffee Break 2 hours Mon-through Fri. doing art with recycled materials, For middle school age kids we have a class called Cartooning Life. It's about teaching kids the start of cartooning. The idea of the class is how to make a character out of themselves."

Class costs range from $20 to $50 per person with no material costs as yet but music classes require you to bring your instrument.

There are opportunities for you to teach a class too. The business model for Mind Unwind works very simply. They split the class fee with the instructor 50/50. There is no rental fee for instructors.

The foundation is the philanthropic arm of the company supporting "art classes and supplies for children who would not have the opportunity to explore the arts."

The grand opening, featuring art, music and a few surprises is set for Feb, 25.

Mind Unwind is next door to Caffe Fiore in the Admiral District at 2206A California Ave SW Seattle, WA 98116 You can call them at 206.849.7222 or reach them via email at create@mindunwind.org.
You can also reach them on Facebook here.