The Kid Creator

The Kid Creator A creative art and music studio for the community.

Gift shop, Piano lessons, Art classes, Parties, Camps, and More

Drop in to shop, make something, take a class, or say hi in the most creative space in town.

Today marks the end of one part of my story, the closing of The Kid Creator Studio and Shop. As of right now, I am compl...
08/16/2026

Today marks the end of one part of my story, the closing of The Kid Creator Studio and Shop. As of right now, I am completely moved out. It looks so bare but when I stand in the room, I can still feel the happiness that filled this space these past 2 1/2 years.

I am so proud of myself for trying. For building my dream and sharing it with my community. I am so proud of the kids and families who walked through these doors,.unsure what they were going to make or how something was going to turn out and then discovering how much creativity they had inside them.

I didn't know how my studio would turn out, if it would be accepted or if it would succeed. And to be honest, I had to go through a few transformations of my own in the process in order to embrace my dream and choose to make something that mattered to me. I made a choice to live a life that I believed in, that brought me fulfillment, to offer what I knew I had in me to give.

And everyday I stepped into this studio I was reminded how much I loved this space and what I did.

So tonight as I said goodbye to this space, I also felt so thankful. Running a small business and then closing it is a hard choice to make, but I don't feel any bitterness. I followed my heart and was rewarded with love from my students and families and the community. Even in closing the doors, so many people have reached out to offer their support and kind words and help.

I also had to learn to love myself more through this journey. To accept myself wherever I'm at and to trust myself to make the next right decision. This is not the end, rather I am just beginning the next part of my journey, ready for the next step because of this experience. I will always keep the studio in my heart.

So many have told me how proud they are of me and how much good I did for them or their children by offering this space. I am honored that I was able to provide this. I love each one of you and I feel loved myself. I will take the joy that was created here in this space with me wherever my path leads next.

I hope you too continue to take the risk, to live the life that you believe in, that is true to you. It's worth the risk.

Thank you ❤️

Packing up the last of the studio furniture and supplies and feeling sad. I will miss this space and the kids and famili...
08/13/2026

Packing up the last of the studio furniture and supplies and feeling sad. I will miss this space and the kids and families who came through it.

While I am so thankful for the families who supported me, I do want to mention that small businesses around here are not supported well enough. I planned and used all the resources I could get but there is a large gap in financial support for small businesses as well as huge expenses that make it difficult to even start a business. I was not able to get any financial support so everything came out of my pocket. I'm not the only small business who has to do that.

Love on your small businesses, Oak Ridge. Often it looks like they are flourishing but behind the scenes they are pinching every penny, working every hour. Take care of your community so that it can grow with the families and people who treasure it.

08/03/2026

Hi everyone! First of all, thank you so much for your lovely messages and comments. This has been a tough week figuring out all the logistics for closing the studio and your kind words have kept me going.

Second, many of you have expressed an interest in piano lessons. I apologize if I have not been able to get back to you right away. I have literally spent a dozen plus hours writing emails, texts, and making phone calls as I try to transition everything, so I may miss your comment.

🎹 I encourage you to DM me if you are seriously interested in piano lessons. I would love to discuss it with you more!

For the moment, here is a summary of what I offer:

🎶Piano Launchpad: one hour weekly group piano for beginners (up to 4 kids)

👭Buddy lessons (40 minutes total: 20 minutes private + 20 minutes crossover with another student during which we play duets, improv, music theory games)

🎼Private lessons 30 minutes

About me and how I teach:

I am Gigi Sliger and I am classically trained with a BA in Piano, Organ, Harpsichord, and Synthesizer. I have taught for over 20 years all ages as young as 3 through adult. All students learn technique, note reading, rote learning, sight reading, rhythm, solfege, music theory, improv, composition, and duet/piano ensemble options. I love what I do and the kids learn while having a lot of fun. I teach using "on the bench" and "off the bench" activities to keep the students engaged and learning music with their whole body - singing, moving, playing, thinking. Music theory is taught throughout with sight reading, games, rhythm movement activities, improv, and more.

💸Tuition is $135/month August through May (31 lessons in 10 months, I follow the Oak Ridge school calendar with slight differences) and there is a nonrefundable registration fee of $80 that covers books, printed materials, and recital fees.

⏩Lessons for the 2026/2027 semester begin the week of August 17th.

I look forward to hearing from you! ❤️

07/31/2026

I have a very sad announcement: The Kid Creator Studio brick and mortar will be closing officially on August 15. I have had to make this difficult decision due to the rise of the cost of living, overhead expenses, and low registration.
I cannot risk the well-being of my family to keep the space open. I tried many different pivots but the last year has been a huge financial strain on me personally.

While piano lessons will continue at my home studio, I cannot continue art classes unfortunately. Perhaps once I make it through this transition I will consider mobile classes and parties again; but first I must let this season end before I start another. I believe that there is still much more creating in my creative journey and I hope that you will continue to shine your creative selves too.

I have loved this community and the families and students who have come through my doors. I will miss each of you. Thank you for the smiles, the support, the laughter, and of course, the creativity. You are the ones who kept me going in a world that is becoming increasingly difficult to navigate. For 2 1/2 years I found peace, love, and safety in my little space and I hope you did too. I want only the best for all of you!

These doors might be closing but my creative dreams will never die. I will continue to paint, write, and play music. One day you may see a piece of art that I did or a book that I wrote or illustrated; those are just a few of my artistic dreams.

For now, I am still here in the Oak Ridge community participating, loving, and supporting the community through my support of other small businesses and my own children's events and education. I love our community and will continue my dedication to building it.

I will continue to post on this page information about piano lessons. These last days I will also be selling some furniture and retail items from the studio so I will post updates on when you can come shop. I am hoping to have a final creative event but that is TBD now as I figure out the logistics of closing the studio. I am so thankful for all of the support and understanding from the families in my studio, my landlord, and fellow business friends, and family who are showing up for me, reminding me that I'm not alone in this.

Thank you for 2 1/2 lovely creative years. 🎨

On a more personal note, due to closing, I am in need of a more sustainable job that can provide for me and my kids if anyone knows of job opportunities. I have a diverse range of experience and education that I am willing to share with anyone interested. Thank you. ❤️

I've had several parents of teens asking about drawing classes so I've decided to add an Art Club this semester for ages...
07/23/2026

I've had several parents of teens asking about drawing classes so I've decided to add an Art Club this semester for ages 10 - 15 years old.

We will learn and practice foundational drawing skills that can then be combined with multi media projects too.

Drawing confidence is a wonderful skill to have so I'm really excited about this class!

Registration is open on the website. https://www.thekidcreator.com/classes

Don't forget to register for art classes! Weekly classes begin August 10th. Tuesdays now include a class for ages 5-10 y...
07/19/2026

Don't forget to register for art classes! Weekly classes begin August 10th. Tuesdays now include a class for ages 5-10 years and a class for ages 10- 15 years. Check them out at https://www.thekidcreator.com/classes.

Some changes are coming to the studio...Stay tuned for:New semester classes (art and music) (registration is open for ki...
07/17/2026

Some changes are coming to the studio...

Stay tuned for:

New semester classes (art and music) (registration is open for kids art classes now on the website) 🎹🫟

Adult art classes 👩🏼‍🎨

And completely new....

"Art Cafe" style drop in classes. 🎨🫖

These changes of course have meant being closed for most of the summer to move furniture, buy supplies, and make all the new art cafe menus. But I hope you like how it turns out!

Address

1962 Oak Ridge Turnpike
Oak Ridge, TN
37830

Telephone

+18653849330

Website

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