There’s a little more room now for “happy little trees” in downtown Chelsea. Geek Brush Studio, known for its certified Bob Ross–style painting workshops, recently celebrated the grand re-opening of its expanded space at 108 E. Middle Street with a ribbon cutting and open house on Tuesday, June 24.
Studio owner Brenda Fineman, one of just a handful of certified Bob Ross® instructors in Michigan, guides students through the signature wet-on-wet oil painting technique that made Bob Ross a household name. In each class, participants complete a full landscape painting in a single session—often to their own surprise.
“People don’t just come here to learn to paint,” Fineman shared during the event. “They come to reconnect—with creativity, with themselves, and with others. We want every student to walk away with not only a finished painting, but also a sense of calm and accomplishment.”
The new location, just around the corner from the studio’s original basement space, offers expanded seating for classes, a growing retail selection of art supplies, and a rotating gallery featuring local artwork. The space itself is steeped in Chelsea’s creative past, having previously housed the Loft Gallery for nearly 20 years and more recently, Serendipity Books—made famous earlier this year by the community-led “Book Brigade” that drew national attention.
Geek Brush Studio continues that creative tradition with a range of offerings designed for all ages and skill levels. In addition to Bob Ross®–style landscape workshops, the studio now offers a monthly Teen Art Night, weekly Messy Masterpieces sessions for young children and caregivers, and Make-N-Take opportunities for drop-in painting. Every class includes materials, and no experience is needed.
Fineman received her instructor certification at the Bob Ross Certification Center in Muncie, Indiana, the same facility where the original Joy of Painting episodes were filmed. Her connection to the technique goes beyond the classroom—during Chelsea’s weekly Sounds & Sights summer series, she’s become known for her live outdoor painting demonstrations, attracting passersby with serene brushstrokes and familiar mountain peaks.
To view class schedules, see the gallery, or learn more about upcoming programs, visit www.geekbrushstudio.com or follow @geekbrushstudio on social media.
