After COVID Closure, Iowa Shopkeeper Invests in Herself

After losing her art supply store from covid, an Iowa business owner rebranded herself, refound her roots as an artist, and launched a brand new project. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) July 30, 2022 - Council Bluffs, IA – After many years in the Omaha and Council Bluffs communities, Oracle Art Supply, a locally owned and operated art supply retail store, closed its doors for good in January. The business, whose shops were beloved for their quirkiness and vast art materials expertise, was one of many victims of the COVID economy. In fact, because of the swift and severe economic changes the virus caused, 23% of all small businesses suffered the same fate.

“It was definitely tough. We all loved our stores. They were more like creative gathering places. We spent so many hours talking with artists about what they were making and helping them find the perfect tools so it would come out just right. Having to close our doors felt like losing a part of ourselves,” said Elizabeth Pozzi, the store’s owner. “But it turns out that wasn’t the end of the line,” she said. “Most of what I do now happens online. I can still support artists in a number of ways, but I’ve also seen this as an opportunity to become one myself all over again.”
Pozzi, an academically trained sculptor and mixed media artist, had given up much of her individual practice when her stores became successful and started to consume most of her time.

Rediscovering Her Roots
Since January, Pozzi has launched a number of creative projects including the Free Little Art Gallery on Glen, a free art exchange fashioned in the style of a miniature gallery space. Her latest project, and one of her most ambitious solo projects since returning to her practice, a hand-drawn set of Urban Wildlife Affirmation Cards, launched its funding phase on Kickstarter.com earlier this week. “It feels good to get back to creating every day,” Pozzi said of the project. “I’m really proud of how these affirmation cards came out and I think people will really enjoy using them.”

About the Urban Wildlife Affirmation Cards
Urban Wildlife Affirmation Cards is a deck of 21 cards featuring affirmations and hand-drawn images of urban wildlife. An affirmation is a short phrase or sentence designed to help motivate, encourage, or just help create a healthier mindset. The cards in the deck can be used in a variety of ways - as a mantra to repeat throughout the day or just a little pick me up when a kind word might help. Urban Wildlife are animals that have adapted their lives around humans to survive in an ever-changing environment. Each affirmation was chosen specifically to match the wildlife on the card. Those who wish to support this project and secure their own deck of Urban Wildlife Affirmation Cards may do so by visiting Kickstarter page https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/blacksquirrelcc/urban-wildlife-affirmation-cards

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