Strong Women are Stronger Together series - Abbey Hunter Edition

Meet Abbey Hunter. This beautiful and insanely talented friend of mine is opening The Hot Spot and their grand opening party for their gallery is Sunday, December 2nd from 11 am to 5 pm and you are all invited!

I first met Abbey online. I posted in a private Facebook group that I was looking for a personal chef for my upcoming Banff retreat. Abbey messaged me and said she was interested, and we quickly made plans to meet in person. She came to one of my yoga classes and stayed after class and we talked for 3-4 hours. We instantly connected and I’m so thankful that we did not only because we were going to spend a week working together in close quarters but also because she’s become a dear friend. She is an incredible chef and I personally have had the delight in devouring some of the most delicious food that I’ve had the pleasure of tasting. She’s also an insanely talented metal artist. I can’t wait to hire her to design and build some furniture for me!

Abbey is one of the kindest people that I’ve ever met. She truly cares about people and wants to support everyone in her life. That’s one of the reasons she started the Hot Spot: a full service public studio for metal artists and jewelry makers offering a wide range of tools, equipment, and benches with membership options. Classes and workshops are hosted at the studio to provide technical skills as well as creative. One of Abbey’s missions for the studio is to provide a creative community space that nurtures the entrepreneurial spirit of individual artists while maintaining connectivity and network.

If money were no object, what would you spend most of your time doing?

Abbey: If money wasn't an option, I’d be doing exactly what I'm doing now minus the obligation to have a full time job. That's one of the greatest joys of being an entrepreneur. After so many years of being scared about how I'm going to make ends meet, I've instead just let my passion figure it out. There's still a lot of learning to do but the dream is getting to a point where I can run my public studio 3 days a week with workshops, classes, and open studio hours. Then, for those days without obligation, I'd be that full time artist welding, and forging away!

What inspires you?

Abbey: There's inspiration from all over the world and I try to immerse myself in it at every opportunity! I navigate towards architecture by putting a lot of the aesthetics in my art. I've also drooled over the minimalist homes in Iceland and the woodcraft of Japan with raw elements that give such a cozy feel without cutting into nature, which is also enlivening in itself. Have you ever just sat and stared at a waterfall spewing out the side of a jetting bluff? To be in that moment completely enveloped in all senses drowned out by the thunderous roar, washing away fragments of civilization within in our mind. That's powerful stuff to be inspired by. I guess this is why when I travel, I try to get the best of both worlds. Architecture and elements. Oh, and food...definitely food.

I hope you’ll join me for the Hot Spot Gallery Grand Opening. You can find all of the event details here. You’ll see some great art and you’ll be supporting one of the best people that I know.

My name is Anna VanAgtmael, and I am a certified yoga instructor with a passion for yoga, travel, and connecting with others.

I believe in trying everything once. My values lie in collecting memories over things. Though we desire adventure and authentic experiences, naturally our fear holds us back.

My ambition is to inspire and encourage you to unmask your fears and jump into the unknown.

Anna VanAgtmael | Yoga Enthusiast | Travel Designer