The Story Behind The Art Room by Abi ✨

Hi, I’m Abi Hellmich, the artist, dreamer, and creator behind The Art Room by Abi—a place where creativity, community, and passion come together in the heart of Union City, TN.

A Lifelong Love for Art

Born and raised in Union City as the daughter of Bobby and Regina Reid, I’ve always had a paintbrush, pencil, or craft project in my hands. My parents nurtured my love for art, and I’ll always cherish childhood memories of visiting our local ceramics shop (Mrs. Mayberry’s—iykyk!), attending art camps, and taking high school art classes.

But when it came time for college, I let doubt creep in. Could I really make a living as an artist?

Not knowing the answer, I chose a “safe” path and majored in marketing at MTSU. That led me to Nashville, where I spent 17 years.

The Unexpected Path Back to Art

In 2012, my journey as an artist took an unexpected turn when I adopted my sweet dog, Monroe. Inspired by him, I picked up my brushes again and painted his portrait—which soon led to my first art business, Abi & Monroe, focused on pet portraits. I continued painting for years, but life had even bigger plans for me.

In 2018, my husband Craig and I made the decision to move back home to Union City to embrace small-town life and start a family. Between having two babies just 20 months apart, my paintbrushes were put on pause. Art simply didn’t fit into the season I was in.

But in 2024, everything changed. My mom encouraged (or rather, committed!) me to painting a pet portrait I wasn’t sure I was ready for. That one painting reminded me just how much I needed art in my life. I started Abi Hellmich Art in July of 2024, diving back into my creativity—not just with pet portraits but with paintings that sparked joy for me.

One of those paintings was my infamous Smokey dog, which later evolved into my Tennessee Smokeshow merch line.

I also partnered with Main Street Union City to create a merch collection featuring our historic downtown buildings, which launched just in time for the holidays.

The Birth of The Art Room

During this busy season, a new dream started to take shape.

What if I opened an art studio?
A space big enough to share my passion with others?

I knew that if I did it, I wanted it to be 100% self-funded. So I set goals, and thanks to the overwhelming support from my community, fans, and followers, I reached those goals faster than I ever imagined.

I truly believe in the power of God’s timing—doors open exactly when they are meant to. And on January 1, 2025, one of those doors opened. 225 S First St became available—and I took the leap.

What’s Next?

The Art Room is just getting started, and I have BIG dreams for it! Here’s a little glimpse of what’s to come:

• Workshops—not just by me, but by other talented makers and artists
  
• Private art lessons for those wanting to grow their skills
  
• Summer & day camps to inspire young creatives
  
• Memberships & day passes for those looking for an artistic escape
  
• Birthday parties & private events—because creativity is meant to be celebrated!

If you know me, you know I’m a dreamer with big ideas, and this is just the beginning. I see Downtown Union City evolving into something straight out of a Hallmark movie—full of charm, community, and creativity, just like Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls. I’m so proud to be part of the magic and transformation happening here. The Art Room is just one piece of that vision—a welcoming, inspiring space for artists and dreamers alike. I’ll continue creating custom commissions, designing merch, and maybe even launching a wholesale line that takes my art further than I ever imagined. ✨

This space is for YOU, our community, and all the creativity waiting to be unleashed. Thank you for believing in this dream with me—I can’t wait to see what we create together!

The Art Room by Abi | Union City, TN
Follow along on social media for updates, workshops, and more!