Veme Studios is the shared art space of painter Verona Peñalba and ceramicist Melissa Flotteron, open this season in a new storefront in Bootleg Alley in Greenport within a stone’s throw of the harbor.
The two artists emphasize that Veme is the community’s studio, too. Anyone who wants a session working with paint, clay, collage or mixed media is invited to reserve the space and get creative.
Flotteron and Peñalba, who both reside in Greenport, met 12 years ago when their husbands began working together at Peconic Water Sports, Flotteron’s husband’s company. The women first started teaching art classes together at local wineries and hotels and offered private lessons on the side. Their premier shared studio was a rustic shed in Greenport, later upgraded to a garage.
When they moved to 214 Front Street in 2023, which not only had space for them to make their art but room for instructional sessions and a small shop, Veme was born. “We wanted a space to create for ourselves,” says Peñalba. “And people reached out to us [to ask], ‘Can you teach us?’ And it organically grew to where we thought, why can’t we share our studio space with other people?”
Left: Veme Studio’s new space in Bootleg Alley in Greenport. Right, Melissa Flotteron and Verona Peñalba. (Photos Courtesy of Veme Studios)
Flotteron considers Veme a “third space” — a gathering area in the community outside of work and home that functions as a place to connect. Peñalba says, “I think we see a shift in society of wanting to come together and not necessarily drink and eat … nothing is wrong with that, but it’s another type of space where you can share.”
The name “Veme” is not only a combination of the first two letters of the duo’s names. It also means “see me” in Spanish, appropriate to their mission to inspire others to get creative when expressing themselves.
Besides booking studio time to work with whatever medium one wishes, Flotteron and Peñalba offer one-on-one painting and pottery classes, kids’ art parties and various workshops on collage, oil painting, and throwing and painting pottery. This season, Veme is introducing a bead bar where patrons can make bracelets and charm necklaces.
And in the summer, Veme will host Creators’ Club, a popular half-day kids’ program that runs from the end of June through August. The themed programs for kids ages 6-13 focuses on developing artistic skills in a variety of mediums.
Veme will gladly create a private workshop for groups, too. “If you have a birthday or a celebration or a bachelorette party, you can reach out and we will cater a private class for you,” says Peñalba. “You choose what you do … it’s very fun and it’s very warm because you’re celebrating with your family and friends.”
The bright, cozy studio can accommodate a group of up to 18 people. “[When] you have everyone out for a family gathering and they’re [wondering] what to do, they can come here and do something creative for two hours and have the most laughs they’ll have all weekend,” says Flotteron.
“And you finish with a cherry on top — with a product that you can take home,” Peñalba says. “You’ll get your mug or the plate that you painted … you’re going to end up with something that will remind you of that moment as well.”
Veme Studios also has the pair’s own paintings and pottery for sale, along with take-home art kits and Peñalba’s handmade jackets made of vintage quilts. She and Flotteron plan to produce a second original coloring book after their first, Painting Vintage, sold out.
“We’re happy to be in Greenport and to feel the support of our community and all the businesses and [our clients] that come back,” Peñalba says. “We’re just so appreciative that we are able to keep going with another year of creative expression.”
Veme Studios, Bootleg Alley, 37 Front St., Greenport, vemestudios.com
