We recently connected with Kirsten Schneider and have shared our conversation below.

Kirsten, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s jump to the end – what do you want to be remembered for?

I hope people remember me as someone who made things more accessible, more welcoming, more creative – and a little more sustainable – for everyone. I’ve always believed communities thrive when everyone—not just a few—gets to participate. Whether it was creating space for multi-generational families, making events accessible for the elderly and people with disabilities, or just making sure no one felt left out—I wanted everyone to feel like they belonged.

I’ve been proud to support economic growth and revitalization, especially through my work with the Staunton West End Business Association and planning public art projects to bring new energy to the community. But what means the most to me is making the arts affordable and available—especially to people who might not otherwise have access. We offer free classes, scholarships, and low-cost supplies because I believe creativity isn’t a luxury—it’s a basic human need.

More than anything, I hope people say I lifted others up. That I helped bring people together, sparked a little pride in their neighborhood, and gave them something meaningful to be part of.

Kirsten, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My business partner, Mary Pearce, and I merged our dreams of mentoring & showcasing emerging and alternative artists, and the idea of making art more accessible—both in opportunity and affordability. We offer creative workshops, community events, and low-cost, sustainable art supplies (keeping them out of the landfill!), with a big focus on inclusion and reducing barriers to participation.

What sets us apart is how community-driven we are. We’re not just running a shop or hosting a class—we’re creating space for people to connect, express themselves, and feel like they belong.

I’m proud of how we’ve supported local economic growth, especially through small business partnerships. But more than anything, I’m proud that we’ve helped people—especially those often overlooked—find joy, confidence, and connection through creativity.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

Mary and I go way back—we met as teenagers, even though we went to different high schools. We found each other through our shared love of alternative music, edgy fashion, and all things creative. We are both a little offbeat in the best way—always painting something, crafting crazy pieces, or showing up to concerts in outfits we’d pieced together from secondhand shops.

It was one of those instant connections where you just get each other. Though life took us in different directions for a while, when we picked back up again, it was like no time had passed. And pretty quickly, we realized we were still dreaming of the same things—mentoring emerging artists, building community, and making art more accessible. Even though we live in different cities, it just made sense to do it together. It’s kind of perfect that the things that brought us together as teens are still at the heart of the work we’re doing now.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I think it really comes down to word of mouth and how we make people feel. We put a lot of heart into creating a welcoming, inclusive space where folks feel seen, supported, and inspired. People remember that—and they tell their friends. Whether someone comes in for a workshop, needs help picking out supplies, or just wants to talk about their latest project, every interaction is meaningful. That kind of genuine connection travels fast, and over time, it’s helped build a reputation we’re really proud of.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.arthive.art
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/art.hive.collective/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arthivellc/