Paris Woodhull opens shop on Gay Street in downtown Knoxville – Knoxville News Sentinel
When Knoxville native Paris Woodhull graduated from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, she didn’t think a career in art was possible and wanted to leave town.
Today, she’s one of Knoxville’s best-known artists, and her murals, original T-shirts, and illustrations can be found in shops across East Tennessee.
Now her art will have a permanent home in her retail store and workspace opening at 121 S. Gay St., the former home of Painting With a Twist.
The storefront will feature retail, Woodhull’s studio, and her screen-printing business.
“It’s funny, I never, I never planned on opening a store,” Woodhull said. “But when this space came available, it just felt like destiny.”
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Woodhull announced the new storefront, Paris Woodhull Illustrations, via Instagram Tuesday morning. She said acquiring the location and getting ready to launch has been months in making.
She wants to open by Sept. 2, just in time for First Friday.
The ‘Krispy Kreme’ of shops
Customers will first be greeted by a retail space where Woodhull will sell her prints, shirts, and other products.
The space will have bright, vibrant colors and all around, “good vibes,” she said.
The back of the space will house Woodhull’s entire studio, from screen-printing equipment to her painting and illustration studio.
You’ll still be able to find her products on the shelves of local shops, but Woodhull wanted another place for people to come to buy art, and also get a peak into her creative process.
“I want people to be able to come in our studios, see us actually make the goods,” she said. “Kind of like Krispy Kreme.”
Before her shop, Woodhull created screen print designs for clients and worked with a third-party printer.
Now, she’ll be able to help her clients “from start to finish” with in-house printing for her designs and submitted projects.
“It’s gonna look like screen-print kingdom back here,” she said. “I could go to a small makerspace, but those spaces are still not big enough for me.”
Part of Knoxville’s vibrant art scene
Knoxville is known as the Maker City and has a vibrant art scene, which can be attractive for people looking to move here.
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Woodhull said it’s great to contribute to the maker scene. From the positive reception of her business to the help she’s received from local entrepreneurs, “Knoxville has been so good to me,” she said.
Once the shop opens, Woodhull plans to host events and participate in First Friday activities.
There’s lots of activity happening on the 100 block. Addison’s bookstore opened this spring, and Harvest is set to open in the former home of Wicked Chicken this fall.
“I love Knoxville, I grew up here, she said. “I remember when this part of town was nothing, so I love that I’m actually able to open my doors (here).”
To see Woodhull’s work and products, visit pariswoodhull.com.