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Once upon a time, the Art House at Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary was just a fairy tale. For Jan Ruby-Crystal, an art educator with a generous sense of humor, it was the ultimate reality that she could turn into a dream home.
As she arrived at the sanctuary, she was greeted by Jonah Keane, the wildlife sanctuary manager, who showed her two possible places to lead her art classes. Ruby-Crystal, who had a clear vision in mind, quickly settled on the Norman Studio, a 15 by 17 feet wide cottage that had once been abandoned. The structure was infested with mice, and its centerpiece was a pot-bellied stove that didn’t fit Ruby-Crystal’s ideal of a beautiful building surrounded by nature. But she saw past these imperfections and envisioned a home that combined art, nature, and science.
- Envision a structure of beauty surrounded by nature, birds, water, mountains in the distance, and air that is clean and fresh.
- It would be wooden, large, airy with many windows and spaces to create, featuring art materials neatly placed and organized in cabinets for each type of activity.
| Year | Description |
|---|---|
| 2017 | The Art House opened, offering art classes and joining art, science, and nature. |
| 2019 | The Art House nearly doubled in size due to the construction of a screened-in porch. |
Ruby-Crystal’s determination and love for art and nature led to the transformation of the Norman Studio into a thriving hub for creativity and community building. The sanctuary was home to an average of 200 people per season, but during the Arcadia Folk Festival, 250 people visited, and the summer camps saw an additional 400 participants. The Art House offered more than just art classes – it was a space for people to connect with each other and with nature. **The Value of Love**
“I wanted to offer art classes and to join art, science, and nature as much as I possibly could, and to celebrate it, in a happy way, not a divisionary way where people say, ‘Oh, that’s not art,’ or ‘That’s not science.’ … I see them all like a pyramid and one doesn’t exist without the other,” said Ruby-Crystal. The Art House was more than just a physical structure; it was a reflection of Ruby-Crystal’s values and personality. She had a talent for creating a welcoming environment that made people feel at ease, and her passion for art and nature inspired her students and volunteers. **The Magic Touch**
One example of Ruby-Crystal’s magical touch was the construction of the screened-in porch, which she had envisioned since her initial visit to the sanctuary. With the help of her board of trustees, the man who drove her home, and volunteers, the porch became a reality, nearly doubling the size of the Art House. As Ruby-Crystal says, “We’re all a bunch of nymphs, making magic happen.” Her dedication, love, and creativity have transformed the Norman Studio into a thriving hub for art and community building, and her legacy will continue to inspire future generations.