It’s a salon. It’s an art studio. It’s a photography studio.
Actually, it’s all three.
Kelly Sharp’s talents in those three different areas are incorporated into her business, The Wildwood Collective, at 9740 Chemainus Road.
“I combined all my passions into one space,” she noted. “I love photography and art and hair. Why not?”
Sharp lived most of her life on the Lower Mainland before moving from Langley four years ago. She lives in Ladysmith now and worked at the Chopstix salon there before opening her own shop in Chemainus at the end of October.
“It’s been really good,” Sharp indicated. “I’ve been pretty busy. Because I do a variety of things, it’s helped for sure.”
Regular business days are Tuesday through Sunday.
“I will be open seven days a week. I have an aesthetician who’s going to be coming in at the end of the month.”
Sharp is holding a grand opening Sunday, Jan. 28 from 2-6 p.m. She invites people to stop by and check it out.
“We’ll do prize giveaways, there’ll be food and coupons and things like that we’ll give to people,” said Sharp.
On the photography side, she had holiday sessions at her studio during Christmas and will be doing something again for Valentine’s Day.
Sharp also offers on-location photography for weddings and baby photos as well as mobile hair-dressing for weddings and other special occasions.
She hasn’t started on her art plans yet, but intends to offer kids’ classes after school. “I’m going to limit it to one or two days a week.”
There will also eventually be adult art classes and group sessions for local photographers.
Sharp recently spruced up the inside of her shop with a mural in preparation for her arts endeavours.
“In a town full of murals, why not put a mural on the wall?” she reasoned.
Sharp attained her Red Seal in Cosmetology and has been doing hair for 16 years. She studied Visual Arts at the Emily Carr College of Art and Design.
“I was also studying to become a teacher,” she pointed out. “That’s why I decided to do my own thing here as far as teaching classes.”
The photography business tends to be a lot different these days since everyone owns a camera and Sharp focuses more on concepts.
“Photography’s turned into more of whether you have good Photoshop skills rather than whether you can take a photo,” she conceded.
On the salon side, Sharp is also sensitive to changing needs.
“I try to bring in the most organic products professionally,” she indicated.
That also includes an emphasis on being scent-free.
“I do have an organic certified colour line,” Sharp noted.
The Natulique line from Denmark, the only certified organic colour line available to people, is an option.
Sharp has also brought in a couple of lines of natural shampoos and conditioners.
Having the retail space in Chemainus has been a great experience so far and Sharp hopes to continue expanding her horizons and meeting more people.
“I love Chemainus,” she enthused. “Everyone here’s been very great, a welcoming community.
“Ever since we moved to the Island, I was looking for the right place to go. I love the artsy vibe of the town. I feel that’s where I belong.”