Locating the time, space, materials and inspiration to make creative art with the family is not easy, especially for parents with busy schedules who prefer to keep their homes mess-free. In response to this community need, Tracy Kellerman is providing all of the above in the new, colorful Wild and Wacky Art Studio.
As a mother of five, Tracy understands the need for children to express themselves in an often disorderly and sporadic way. She has designed projects specifically to meet these needs in a fun and socially-engaging environment.
Her studio is located at 312 E. Elk Ave., through a back entrance of East Tennessee Ballet. Currently, she hosts birthday parties, graduation and retirement parties, girls-nights-out, bambino parties and scheduled creative days as well.
Most recently, she has begun hosting homeschooled children on Wednesdays at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. for $30 per family. She is also planning special monthly events as well, like the upcoming Valentine’s Day gingerbread house decorating event on Saturday, Feb. 13 — which will take place from 10 a.m. to noon for mommies and sons and from 2-4 p.m. for daddies and daughters. The cost of this event is $20 plus tax and is priced per family per class. Light refreshments will be provided.
Kellerman said events are priced to accommodate family budgets. “It’s a great price for families,” said mother Marianne Townsend, who attended the homeschool craft day Wednesday with her two sons.
The projects are designed to accommodate a variety of ages and are not gender-specific, Kellerman said.
“My oldest boy doesn’t really get into arts and crafts much at home, but before we left the first time, he told me, ‘This place is great!’ So he gets an outlet to be creative with friends that he wouldn’t do at home,” said mother Kellie Damron. She said she has been searching for art classes for her kids for more than six months and was thrilled when the studio opened.
“It definitely exceeded my expectations,” said Damron, adding it was very exciting to find a chic place to have a girls-night-out.
Even for families and individuals that are in their element crafting at home, Kellerman’s guests say this studio is a source of inspiration.
“We are crafty at our house, but this gets us out, and it’s awesome,” said mother Christin Williams. “My kids have taken to it really well and we can use these ideas at home when we make art.”

Kellerman is also accepting registration forms for a preschool art class on Thursdays from 10:30-11:15 a.m., which will begin on March 3.
The studio is not open at all hours, but Kellerman is happy to schedule events to accommodate clients’ schedules. With birthday or bambino (baby shower) parties, she organizes all the decorations, refreshments and activities.
“All you have to do is show up ready to have fun,” she said.
At bambino parties, she said mommy-to-be selects one of six projects and her guests make presents for her, like tie-dyed bibs or wreaths for the nursery. Birthday activities may include making slime from scratch or making no-sew “soctopi” out of socks. For older kids, activities are a bit different, like making crayon-splattered canvases.
Also geared towards adults and youth are Pinterest craft parties. For these, participants can select a project from her repertoire
As a lifelong resident of Carter County, Kellerman said she knows the desire of both adults and children to have creative and engaging activities in a fun environment.
All materials are certified by the Art and Creative Materials Institute as being safe and non-toxic, Kellerman said.
The next monthly community event will be a celebration of Dr. Seuss’s birthday on Saturday, March 5. The studio, refreshments and projects will reflect will Dr. Seuss’s fantastic and bizarre sense of style.
Kellerman also plans to host other classes like a basics of firearms for women. This will be led by a member of the Carter County Sheriff’s Department and will teach how to carry and handle a gun as well as what types are appropriate for specific uses. The cost of the course will be $25.
“This class will be geared towards women who may be interested in getting a concealed carry permit, but aren’t familiar with the basics,” said Kellerman.
She hopes to offer other classes that could benefit community members as well.
For more information or to schedule an event, call 423-647-0852 or visit the Facebook page or website wilsandwackyartstudio.com.