When bees have lost their hive, and have nowhere to go,
that is when they tend to invade spaces they shouldn't.

They lose direction and lose their purpose.

Without the comradery that resides within their hive, they are left to wander alone and fend for themselves. Much like creatives in their everyday lives, we are constantly overwhelmed and undereducated, left to scour the internet and YouTube University for answers to questions we are not even sure how to ask. Every hurdle feels that much harder to cross, feeling like everyone is your competition and your enemy when truthfully you just need support from your swarm. Here at the Hive, we want to create a space for artists of all mediums and genres to gather, learn, network, and do what they do best...create.

The Hampton Roads area, also known as the 757, is home to one of the largest Naval bases in the world, in turn, housing a booming and ever-growing economy, filled with a diversity of global cultures, and home to creatives from all corners of the earth. Virginia Beach and Norfolk, two major cities, are a crossroads of arts and entertainment spanning from photography and videography meet-ups to rap & hip-hop open mics. There is a humbleness here that shows the community yearns for a safe space they can lift each other to the next level.

There are several creative spaces already established in the area, however, we strongly feel we can bring a new splash of originality and a magical design for more creativity to flourish. Our way of setting The Hive apart stems from not only our desire to stand out and fill some creative voids but build a network that will continue to generate and circulate work and wealth within the Hampton Roads community for years to come. Our detailed plan of action includes the path to making that a reality, by working with local businesses, and artisans, and providing opportunities for our already established network of talented individuals to succeed. 

It takes hours of teamwork and hundreds of bees to build a safe and sustainable bee hive to thrive within. Single bees can not survive without the support of their community.

Can we count on you to help us build our hive?

FAQ:

Who is on the team?

• Moe, co-owner, a tenured freelance photographer with experience in hosting workshops, and creative meetups, capturing everything from live music to weddings, and models of all ages, shapes, and backgrounds. She is a strong advocate for mental health and giving back to others in creative and impactful ways. She believes art is a form of therapy and should be accessible to all. 
• Ari, co-owner, an event coordinator, experienced model, budding photographer, and business enthusiast with an impressive resume. She fell in love with innovation and helping people bring their visions to life in Business school, and has since made this her life passion. Having a place to create freely and without limitation has always been a goal close to her heart. 

What inspired this project?

• Having our own creative space has been a lifelong dream. We've toured properties for lease, and created research plans in three states over the last 6 years. Supervised other studios and rental spaces, as well as hosted events and workshops in a variety of locations across the country. We all know location is everything and the 757 is not only an incredibly inspiring place to be and create, but the community here completely sets it apart from anything else we've ever known. The people here are passionate without limitation and set their goals in focus despite any obstacles they face. There is a desperate desire for more safe and inclusive spaces that bring the best of the community together to learn and develop their skills amongst like-minded people. We are most excited about hosting events and workshops, portfolio reviews, pop-ups, and galleries, growing a creative playground for the kid in all of us.
  
  

Where is the money going?

• This start-up budget will allow us to fully pursue this project by investing in a property and making it our own.
• Original costs of development, deposits, and rental agreements.
• Basic furniture and decor needs; paint, tools, rugs, thrift, and estate sale items.
• Deposits on local artisan pieces and studio equipment such as rental cameras, lighting, client wardrobe, and more.

How else can I help?

• As the project continues to develop we will be looking for painters, illustrators, craftsmen, decorators, designers, event coordinators, and community volunteers. We hope to partner (and barter) with local businesses to increase your online presence and add a Hampton Roads touch to the space. If you are local to the area and interested in partnering with us in any way, please reach out to us at hivestudiova@gmail.com
• Follow us on our brand new Instagram account @hivestudiova