Families, artists, and community members gathered at the grand opening of the Lines and Living Art Creative Outlet on March 30 in downtown Bakersfield. Founder and CEO, April Hammond, said the new Bakersfield studio was designed as a “sanctuary of belonging” for anyone who has ever felt like an outsider. 

The art studio serves the general public while also welcoming clients from Kern Regional Center and families with disabilities. Hammond said the space combines creativity, accessibility, and comfort in a way that feels different from a traditional public setting. 

Hammond said the inspiration for this studio grew from her 18 years in education, most of it special education, along with years of creating art on the side. 

“This kind of combines all my loves into one,” she said. 

Hammond said every detail was intentional. 

“I really wanted a space where there wasn’t a lot of red tape,” Hammond said. “I could do it the way that I felt the families needed and provide that individual touch and get to know them and advocate for them.”

The studio features an art cafe, sensory room, and glow art gallery. One of the most popular rooms is the glow gallery, a black-light sensory room where artwork comes alive in neon colors.

“Our clients with disabilities love the sensory room,” Hammond said. She added that it has also become a favorite among parents and children from the broader community.

Beyond the art itself, Hammond said the studio is designed to offer something families do not often find in public spaces: ease.

Hammond said parents who first walk in are often tense, apologizing if their child touches materials or moves around the room. But after a few visits, that anxiety begins to disappear.

“It’s not a feeling of like, we’re tolerated here,” Hammond said. “It feels more like it was made for us.”

An attendee who celebrated the opening, Abby Teasdale, said she’s excited that there’s a new space in Bakersfield for makers of all abilities, including neurodivergent artists, to share their creativity.

“As a neurodivergent person myself, I am glad to see that we’re having more opportunities here in Bakersfield,” Teasdale said. “I feel like it’s a good opportunity for us to have fun here.”

Anastasia Hopper, who was also at the grand opening, said she brought her autistic son to the grand opening after hearing about the space for some time, hoping he could make connections.

“The sensory room here he’s in love with. We came to donate some art and he made himself at home real fast,” Hopper said.

She also said that supporting a growing small business like this matters not only as an artist, but as a parent looking for spaces where her child can simply feel at ease.

“I think it is an absolute blessing and something we need to see a lot more of,” Hopper said. “We don’t have enough inclusive spaces in Bakersfield at all. To see more places like this.”

For Hammond, the celebration was about more than opening a business. 

“Today is just a celebration of all that, and we have worked so hard to get where we are,” she said. “Now we just want to share and make sure everyone knows we’re here.”

Lines and Living Art Creative Outlet is located at 1101 18th St., Suite 100 in downtown Bakersfield.