By Allen Brewer

Looking for a new piece of art to decorate your home? Why not make one yourself?

Board and Brush, a national DIY craft franchise, will be celebrating the opening of its Oxford location on Oct. 1. Unlike other art studios, this store will teach customers how to create custom wooden projects through interactive classes.

“I am excited to bring this business to Oxford,” Board and Brush owner Cassidy Broadaway said. “I feel this is a very art-driven community.”

Broadaway first heard about Board and Brush when she and her friends attended a class at a location in Little Rock, Ark. After moving to Oxford, Broadaway decided to open her own franchise.

Drinks, refreshments and prizes will be given to those who attend the grand opening ceremony on Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m.  The event will be hosted at the store’s location on 1525 University Avenue in the Corner Mall shopping center located half a mile from the Square.

The first 50 guests will receive a swag bag full of goodies. All attendees will also receive a $10 off coupon for their first workshop. One person will receive a VIP private party for themselves and nine other guests. Other raffle prizes include free workshops, merchandise and more.

“This event will allow our customers to get the feel of the space, check out our work on our wall, and enjoy refreshments with us,” Broadaway said.

Classes will start next week on Oct. 2, 4 and 7. Customers must register two days in advance on the company’s website, www.boardandbrush.com/oxford, to book a seat at the class and pre-order the supplies needed for their desired project.

Workshops begin with wooden boards and teach customers first-hand how to distress the wood, stain it and paint it. There are 200 designs on the company’s website that can be recreated. Drinks and refreshments will be included in each class; beer and wine will also be available for purchase.

“I think we are going to draw a lot of attention,” Brittany Wirth, a worker at Board and Brush, said. “It will be a perfect activity for a girls night out.”