After doing battle with law school and the Rhode Island State Bar Exam, Jacqueline Vaughn needed to relax. She sought out a yoga studio, something that used to do the trick for her back home in New Jersey. Rather than the quick destresser she expected, she found a community and a home in a little 700-square-foot space with other yogis. Then, in 2013, her yoga studio moved. She was torn, for it wasn't just the practice and the people that were important to her, but the space itself. She sat wondering about the fate of the studio one night, admiring the stars, when inspiration suddenly struck. She grabbed some paints and began to recreate the starry sky she saw before her. As her vision took shape, a plan formed in her mind. She would transform her old yoga school into a community art space. Bristol Art Studio was born.

These days, Jacqueline and a team of instructors host classes in painting, drawing, sculpture, sewing, and creative writing. They gear the curriculum to artists of all ages and ability levels. Kids can explore self-expression and technique in structured lessons. Adults can bring a bottle of wine to enjoy as they unlock their creativity with a brush or get their hands dirty in a bit of clay by sculpting an impromptu wine glass. Whichever class a student takes, they will find a safe haven as Jacqueline once did in her yoga studio.