Before it was an artist-owned small business, Tree of Liminality was an interactive performance art experience. Participants were invited to come as an alternate version of themselves for a semi-scripted conversation with a wise young woman who lived in a tree. It was a place where all futures are possible, where people could ponder deep questions, think about change, and leave different from how they arrived. It was a Tree of Liminality.

The word liminal describes spaces or states of transition, like a doorway or a rite of passage. Their purpose is to take us from one place to another. Liminality is a state of between-ness or becoming. It’s how artist Missa Coffman thinks about the creative process. It starts with an idea or an impulse, followed by the actual doing, where thoughts and materials are transformed into art.

Tree of Liminality is a place for that transformation to happen - a multifaceted art space that offers creative goods, services, events, and opportunities. Their retail section includes items to inspire, such as art kits, stationery, poetry, and zines. Pay-what-you-can typewriter poems are their most popular item. Find one to express what’s on your heart, or request a new one on a topic of your choice.

Missa and her partner Marios are available to assist at any stage of a creative project. It could be sparking an idea, learning a new skill, talking about work-in-progress, or putting on the finishing touches. As educators and lifelong artists, they’re equipped to help with photo editing and printing, custom framing, book printing and binding, and realizing everything from custom diamond dot patterns to haiku on toast.

After 15 months at NewBo City Market, where Missa was Artist in Residence, Tree of Liminality has moved to the Heart House, their new location at 1301 3rd Street SE. Missa and Marios are excited to have a beautiful space there to host events. They’ll be working with longtime collaborative partners at the nonprofit Farmhouse Art Collective to develop community programming, such as art classes, poetry readings, and exhibitions at their Staircase Gallery between the first and second floor.

Their goal is to help ordinary people create and live more creative lives, and to expand access to the arts in underserved populations. Tree of Liminality has lots of ways to get involved and share what you’re making, through their Second Thursday Art Chats and calls for participation and creative work. They also offer free or reduced cost classes for volunteers, and a sliding scale for hourly services.

You can find out more about their upcoming events and opportunities on Facebook and Instagram at @treeofliminalityatnewbo. Their hours of operation are Thursday through Saturday from 12:00 to 8:00pm and Sunday 12:00 to 4:00pm, or by appointment.