From Yours to Ours

Within The Turnbull Building in downtown Chattanooga, Tennessee, a screenprinter has been creating something big for the creators and makers within the city. With an open interior, Asian nuances inspire the space that is all things studio, classroom, and community for the artisan or the poet to create. On November 22, 2025, Christia Chan Sok opened the doors to the newest collaborative hub for artists in Chattanooga.

Studio Ours is the manifestation of an artist supporting artists. Before The Turnbull Building was a space teeming with makers, it was Chan Design Co. A screenprinting business that was built on a foundation of treating screenprinting as an art, rather than a mass production. “When people come at me, like, I need 200 of the same shirt, that's not really what I do. I'll do it on a one-time basis. But I prefer smaller runs, more boutique things” said Chan.

Recent ideas founded in artistic pursuits have led to the organic collaborations and creations that led to the opening of Studio Ours. Smaller, exciting projects like using tiny screenprinting machines to host a build-your-own teddy bear T-shirt class, stand at the foundation of what Chan envisions for the establishment.

Simultaneously allowing the space to be both a market to support local artists and their creative goods; and a workshop for learning. Where artists, craftspeople, and everyone in between can educate the community through classes and hosted events. Artists supporting artists is the nature that Studio Ours is built upon.

For months, Chan has worked to establish a space for Chattanooga’s artistic community to grow. And, for one person’s creative passions to overlap and be directly involved in the support of others. This can take many forms, Studio Ours being such a vast space has allowed many different forms of enrichment to take place.

Chan notes that the space is inspired in mission by Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment, in Huntsville, Alabama, the largest privately-owned arts facility in the United States. A historic textile mill that was preserved and restored into a space with over 150 working studios for hundreds of artists and makers. The space also features multiple galleries, a theater, and community spaces and venues for events.

“When I saw that, I was like it would be so cool if this building were just like that, you know. (...) Maybe we build out some studio spaces in this building where artists could affordably have a space for rent that makes sense financially. And then also have the store downstairs.”

A core value within Studio Ours is the belief in the power of a shared experience. Christina built Chan Design Co. on the love of meeting people and connecting with the community and businesses of all sizes.

As an artist, she understands how important a sense of belonging is. Balancing structure and empathy has been a key focus and challenge for her as a business owner, being able to find like-minded people and creating a supportive environment for them and their business is what grounds the mission of the studio.

“I don't want gossip, and I don't want hatred, everybody just be nice, be kind. We're all trying to help each other.”

Another core value is inclusivity, Studio Ours offers learning experiences in intimate settings where lifelong friendships are able to be fostered. Anyone with a passion and a desire to teach is able to inquire, even if they don’t sell anything in the store. Studio Ours is here to be space for community, learning, and accessibility for all the creatives of Chattanooga, Tennessee.

“I think what I've been hearing a lot from other people is [that] Chattanooga's been needing this.”

Malcolm Key reports on Studio Ours, a new maker-space in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Christian Chan Sok, the screenprinter behind Studio Ours describes the process of opening the doors to Chattanoogas newest collaborative hub and what the new space means to her.