Tucked into a sunlit corner in the thriving community of downtown Rogers, right next door to the charming Dandy Roll, there’s a space that hums with creative energy and smells faintly of sawdust, paint, and dreams. It’s called the Kaleidoscope Collective, and if you haven’t wandered inside yet—well, let’s just say your inner artist is missing out.
This cozy shop-slash-gallery-slash-studio is the brainchild of Ashlyn, a Fayetteville native with a background in furniture design and a heart full of community spirit. What started as a whispered idea among friends—one of whom told her, lovingly, to “get your s*** together”— has turned into one of the most vibrant creative spaces in Northwest Arkansas.
From Furniture Design to Community Curation
Ashlyn didn’t originally plan to open a shop like this. With a degree from the Savannah College of Art and Design, her early focus was furniture and product design. “I loved everything about it—from sketching and 3D modeling to the actual woodworking,” she said. But life, as it tends to do, zigzagged her path. After a stint back home in NWA following some some unexpected events, Ashlyn found herself working in local furniture and interior design.
It was during this time she noticed something: Northwest Arkansas didn’t have a place where you could buy locally made everything. Sure, there were art galleries, but where were the spaces where you could find handcrafted furniture, ceramics, textiles, and jewelry—all under one roof?
“I just kept thinking, someone’s going to do this. Someone has to,” Ashlyn recalled. But that someone turned out to be her.
From Idea to Reality (with a Little Nudge)
The turning point came during the pandemic, when working remotely started to feel more like slow creative suffocation. Enter Courtney and Dom from Dandy Roll, who knew about Ashlyn’s long-simmering idea and offered more than just encouragement—they pointed to the space next door and said: now’s your chance.
Ashlyn took a few weeks to crunch the numbers, sketch the vision, and pitch it to the landlord. “I decided to go consignment-based at first, so I wasn’t shelling out a ton of money on wholesale inventory,” she explained. “I already had a long list of local artists from visiting markets, so I started reaching out.”
By opening day, Kaleidoscope Collective featured work from around 30 artists. Today, that number has grown — and so has the mission.
A Store, A Studio, A Collective
While Kaleidoscope Collective began as a place to sell local art, it quickly morphed into something more: a hub for creativity. The back of the store is now dedicated to workshops that range from painting and pottery to soldering your own silver ring. Yep, you heard that right—DIY fine jewelry, no prior experience needed.
“People are always surprised at what they can actually make,” Ashlyn said. “We try to keep it all really accessible. You don’t have to be a professional artist to create something beautiful here.”
“You don’t have to be good at art to enjoy it. You just have to start.”
— Ashlyn Dillard-Hansen
These workshops have become a cornerstone of the Kaleidoscope experience. Whether you’re painting a vase, printing block art, or learning how to work with silver, the atmosphere is relaxed, encouraging, and often filled with laughter.
“We’ve even had couples make their own engagement rings,” Ashlyn said, still sounding slightly in awe.
The Community Within the Collective
One of the most heartwarming surprises? The strong sense of community that’s emerged.
“What I’m proudest of is this little ecosystem we’ve built,” Ashlyn said. “It’s so much more than just selling art — it’s about people supporting each other.”
That includes the artists, many of whom are now friends, collaborators, and even mentors to workshop attendees. “They’re not just talented creators — they’re also fantastic teachers. Kind, patient, and genuinely excited to share what they know.”
This sense of connection extends to the shoppers, too. “There’s something powerful about being able to tell someone the story behind a piece — who made it, where it came from. That’s something you just don’t get at a big-box store.”
“We’re not just selling art—we’ve built a little ecosystem.”
— Ashlyn Dillard-Hansen
The Challenges of Doing It All
Of course, it hasn’t all been paint splatters and rainbows.
“The hardest part? Definitely the business side of things,” Ashlyn admitted with a laugh. “I didn’t go to business school. Taxes, inventory, paperwork—it’s all been a learning curve.”
Luckily, she’s had help from a few key people, including her family and the Dandy Roll crew next door. “I probably ask Dom a thousand questions a week,” she joked.
She’s also looking for a new bookkeeper, preferably someone who understands consignment-based models — so if you know a good one, shoot her a message!
What’s Next for Kaleidoscope?
Ashlyn is in no rush to scale fast, but her dreams are quietly taking shape.
“We’d love to expand one day — maybe a second location in Fayetteville or Springdale,” she said. “Eventually, I’d love to offer studio spaces for artists to work and teach workshops out of.”
In the meantime, she’s focused on growing what’s already working. “We’ve got workshops booked all month long — Wednesday through Saturday. It’s a lot, but it’s good.”
If you’re an artist looking for space to sell your work or someone with a great workshop idea, good news: Kaleidoscope Collective is always accepting applications. (You can find the form on their website.)
A Few Final Thoughts
Whether you’re looking to buy a unique gift, try your hand at ring-making, or just meet some downright lovely people, Kaleidoscope Collective offers something that’s hard to find these days: authenticity, warmth, and a genuine love of creativity.
So next time you’re in downtown Rogers, stop in. You might walk out with a new piece of art — or, who knows, a new perspective on your own creativity.
As Ashlyn puts it, “Art is for everyone. You don’t have to be good at it to enjoy it. You just have to start.”
Want to Visit the Collective?
📍 109 W Walnut St., Rogers, AR 72756
🌐 Explore the website
📸 Follow on Instagram
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🖌️ Workshop applications + artist submissions welcome online
Whether you’re itching to make your own silver ring or just want to shop handmade treasures with a story, Kaleidoscope Collective is your spot. And with Ashlyn’s creative heart steering the ship, you’re in colorful company.
