We had the good fortune of connecting with Stephanie Stewart and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Stephanie, what are you inspired by?
I am inspired by the freedom in the creative realm and the authenticity of the experiences and stories told.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My background is actually in technology, and I hated it. I began investing time and effort into my creative career when I was given the chance to begin again -to truly reinvent myself and my career. It was a hard road to learn a new discipline, but it was well worth the blood, sweat, and tears.

P31 Art & Design LLC. , was born as a result of a mock lunchtime business discussion series I was leading with my 5 children during the covid lockdown. We created a business plan and held business meetings. My then high school senior daughter, who also is an artist, came to me and asked if we could do this “in real life”. Without hesitation, my answer was YES…and thus began the adventures of P31 Art & Design LLC, co-owned by Kyla Decatur my daughter and myself.

Kyla is an amazing up-and-coming fiber artist, who completes all of our notebook designs, facilitates workshops, and is a reliable business partner.

P31 Art & Design, is an art business located in Akron OH that makes handbound journals, and art books, through the inspiration of original works of art. We also teach workshops that aim to embrace the areas of creative play.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that no one knows your worth like you do. Take the time to know how much your story is worth. Know without a shadow of a doubt, how valuable you are. As an individual, you are unique, as an artist your story should be shared, and as a business owner the path you pave should be wide enough for others to walk through. The world thrives of destruction and darkness, this is why we must be the salt and the light full with grace and mercy.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Recently a sister of art visited the city for an Akron Art date. We saw the African American Art exhibition being showcased at that time, and then we went to visit one of the city’s only Black-owned art galleries the East Ave Gallery. Unfortunately, it was closed that day. We concluded our day with lunch at the Northside Marketplace, where small business owners can sell their handmade items. It was a wonderful day.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to dedicate my Shoutout to my family. They have been there for me from the beginning. They represent the very definition of support. Rather it be in the form of creative critiques, man-power, or bodies in the crowd; my family is the manifestation of love and deserves this shoutout!

Website: www.p31art.com

Instagram: instagram.com/p31_artsanddesign

Facebook: facebook.com/p31artdesign

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutOhio is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.