JANESVILLE — Ava Garcia, 5, dipped her hands in washable red and blue paint Sunday, and enthusiastically swirled it onto a massive wall canvas at a new, kid-friendly art studio in Janesville.
Ava Garcia, 5, plays with paint during the grand opening of the 608 Art Factory mini studio, 824 Lafayette St., in Janesville, Sunday, July 6, 2025.
The 608 Art Factory mini studio officially opened its doors Sunday morning, transforming the garage space of Kidtopia, 1824 Lafayette St.
The colorful, partially finished space offers a variety of creative options for children including a water table and brush station, card making, modeling clay, spray bottles with paint, sponges, giant canvases for finger painting, 3D and recycled materials, and dry and wet sensory centers.
The mess is part of the fun, and the learning, according to a recent post on 608 Art Factory’s Facebook page. Messes “are to be expected. We do provide aprons and smocks while also trying to provide mostly washable materials,” the post said.
Jamie Swenson, the owner of both the art studio and Willow Way Counseling Center in Janesville, said her inspiration for the space came out of her art therapy practice with children, and in the love of messy, uninhibited creativity among her own five children.
608 Art Factory began with pop-up events at Kidtopia; at Saturday’s event, Swenson emphasized the core philosophy of its new permanent space.
“I really wanted a space where kids could come in and do their own creative thing, rather than sit and follow instruction,” she said. “They can just do what they want.”
“This is a space that is meant to be inviting and welcoming,” Swenson continued, noting that it’s lightly air conditioned during the summer. “It’s for those rainy days or just to get out of the house and allow your children to make a mess in a space that isn’t your home. It doesn’t matter if your child is the greatest artist in the world; that’s not the point.”
Swenson said the concept behind 608 Art Factory had been years in the making.
She said Jodie Downing, owner of Kidtopia, offered the garage space after they collaborated on art classes and Swenson shared her vision.
“As a small business owner myself, I know how many hurdles there are to make those dreams come true,” Downing said. “I was not using the space besides for storage, and I always had the dream to build upon it.” Downing said she recognized Swenson’s “love for the arts and children” and knew the space would be a perfect fit.
More information on 608 Art Factory, including hours, is on its Facebook page.
Admission for creative play at 608 Art Factory is $8 per child for ages 2 to 12. Admission is free for youth age 13 and up, and adults are also free. Combined daily admission to both 608 Art Factory and Kidtopia is $16 for children through age 12, with adults and caregivers admitted free.
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