'Sanctuary' For Artists Opens Wednesday

Debbie Giles says Creative Sanctuary of Havre de Grace is a place to go and release from the stress of the everyday grind.

After more than a decade of trying to open her business, Giles could use some artistic relief, herself.

“Oh my gosh. This is a dream that’s been in the making for 15 years. I am just so thrilled,” Giles told Tuesday afternoon. “My husband and I wanted always to live in Havre de Grace, and to be able to have an arts business right in the arts and entertainment district, it’s just amazing.”

Creative Sanctuary will open Wednesday afternoon at 114 N. Washington St.—the former location of , which late last year.

“There are several things we’re going to offer,” Giles said. “Art has a way of transcending a lot of differences and barriers between people. It’s also a means of connecting in ways you haven’t before.”

The biggest hurdle, Giles said, was in working with to determine exactly how the business fit into the zoning codes. With regular 2-9 p.m. hours, the part-dance, part-art studio could have the potential to clash with neighboring local businesses and the residents that live in the apartments above.

“Through the process, I’ve learned the zoning is there for a reason, to protect citizens and other business, I understand that, I just wish there was a process there that made it easier to understand the steps in that process,” Giles said.

Ultimately, Giles said, defining what the business actually offers was key.

“We’re so unique that the city has never had to deal with a business like us,” Giles said with a laugh. “That was the biggest challenge for them: ‘Wow we don’t know what to do with them.’”

But being in the arts and entertainment district in Havre de Grace made sense for Giles.

“It fits in with so many other businesses as well. The welcome I’ve gotten from other businesses and neighboring businesses has just been overwhelming,” she said, adding that she would like to be able to coordinate collaborative events with other arts vendors in town.

“Our long-term goals are to create a nonprofit branch to reach out to other under-served populations to take the show on the road,” Giles said.

And why not? In this current economy, letting loose and finding your inner artist isn’t quite as easy as it used to be, Giles said.

“A lot of people have lost connection with who they are and their creativity,” she said. “We believe everybody has creativity within them and often they haven’t had a chance to explore it.”

Sometimes you need a sanctuary to help bring it out.