Alumni News: Rena Masson ’11 Business Tunk City Revival Update

Artist, business owner, entrepreneur and Montserrat College of Art alumna Rena Masson ’11 has moved her shop Tunk City Revival to 100 Main Street in Danielson CT.

Masson represents local artisans and crafters allowing them a space to showcase and sell their wares, and further the mission of the buy local spirit Her slogan says it well “Buy Local Buy Small Support Your Creative Community.” Bringing the artist to the community, you bring heart back into the community.

Masson’s shop showcases a wide variety of arts and crafts items including fabric bags and soy candles, primitive signs and sweaters, baby clothes and goats milk soap. Paintings, wooden carvings, exquisite jewelry, handmade cards, local honey, and found art objects cover the tables and walls of the shop.

Her intent is on making a go of Main Street with her art background and business savvy. For a year after graduation, she traveled to shows, getting her name out, meeting other artists, and collecting contact information. When the time came for her to open a shop of her own, she showed the work of 17 other artists.

The Center Street shop opened 18 months ago. The small shop was on a side road off of Main Street, but a more visible location was always in the back of her mind. When she ran into Deb Halbach, owner of 100 Main St., the two women talked and came to an agreement on 700 square feet of classroom space and 1,400 square feet of display space.

The complement of artists has grown from 17 to 95. Masson is proud to have the work of local artists and artisans in her shop. A sign reading “Shop Small. Shop Local” hangs in the window and on the wall. She puts her money where her mouth his. She’s crafted displays and craft items for Up Top Screen Printing and Black Pond Brews, two Danielson businesses. Two Killingly High School students sell their FFA projects in her shop.

Once the shop is established, Masson intends to hold classes in jewelry-making, painting, sea glass wire wraps, terrariums and funky up-cycle projects.

“It will be like all the stuff you see on Pinterest that you want to do but won’t do on your own,” she said. “You can do anything with a jigsaw and a cordless drill. We have the stuff. We have the know-how and the tools.”

Tunk City Revival held a grand opening on May 12, but opened its doors on May 6. Hours are Monday, Thursday, and Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday noon to 4 p.m.

For more information, go to www.tunkcityrevival.com.