The Shadow
COVINGTON, Va. (VR) – A new creative space is transforming the local arts scene, offering residents a unique opportunity to explore artistic pursuits and community connection. Make Room, a collaborative venture by local educator Leigh Woodward and school counselor DeShawn Wooding, opened its doors last weekend, promising to be more than just another retail storefront.
The business combines a boutique, maker space, and community art center, addressing a growing need for accessible creative resources. Founded by two artistically driven women, the emerging business is sure to hold special meaning for anyone with a passion for art and community engagement.
Wooding, who started her own personalized gift business after her mother’s unfortunate passing, and Woodward, a former English teacher with a lifelong art interest, have created a multifaceted space designed to welcome artists and crafters of all skill levels. “Our main goal is to be a community hub where artists can come in, work, and connect,” Woodward explained. They currently offer custom gifts, including woodworking items, 3D-printed objects, and locally designed merchandise.
The space features a boutique open Thursday through Saturday, with plans to expand hours as the business grows. A maker space will follow, offering classes in art and crafts such as rock painting, crocheting, knitting, embroidery, drawing, and acrylic painting. What sets Make Room Covington apart is its commitment to accessibility. The founders plan to create a donation-based art supply area where teenagers and community members can access materials at reduced costs. “We’re trying to make art affordable for people in our community,” Woodward said.
The business also aims to collaborate with local artists, inviting community creators to teach classes and share their expertise. This approach reflects their broader mission of community engagement and support.
Located in a newly renovated building on North Maple Ave, the space benefits from increased visibility and proximity to recent community developments like Collins Park and the train depot. The location allows them to potentially offer activities during local events and concerts.
DeShawn and Leigh are not just business partners but longtime friends who met while working at Covington High School, Wooding as a mental health counselor and Woodward as an English teacher. Their complementary skills have been crucial to the business’s development. “Neither one of us could have done this alone,” Woodward noted.
DeShawn brings business and technical expertise, while Leigh contributes creative ideas and availability for day-to-day operations. The business model includes maintaining their individual creative identities. Wooding continues to operate her personalized gift business online, while also being a vendor within Make Room. This approach allows them to preserve their established brands while creating a collaborative space.
Future plans include expanding online offerings, creating tutorial videos, and developing a robust online community to complement their physical space. They have also set ambitious three-tier goals, starting with establishing the business, expanding equipment and offerings, and creating a comprehensive creative resource for the community. Their timing is both favorable and beneficial for the community, coming at a moment when many schools are reducing arts programming.
By offering affordable, accessible art experiences, Make Room aims to fill a critical gap in community creative education. The business has already begun community involvement, participating in local mural projects and collaborating with city initiatives. For instance, Woodward is currently painting a scene for a local historical display.
Community response has been enthusiastic, and interest in classes continues to grow. Wooding and Woodward remain committed to their core mission: creating a welcoming, inclusive space where creativity can flourish. “We want to be more than just a store,” Leigh said. “We want to be a place where community happens.” Make Room represents a promising model of grassroots arts engagement, demonstrating how local entrepreneurs can create meaningful spaces that nurture creativity and community connection. The boutique is currently open Thursday through Saturday. More information can be found on their website or by visiting their North Maple Avenue location.
