Help Heather "Colibri" Nurture Her Creative Sanctuary

Hello! I’m Heather (Colibri). I am a mother, an artist, and most recently a gallery shop owner. As a child, I dreamt of creating art for the purpose of uplifting others. Over the years, that dream grew and evolved into the idea of a gallery shop that could not only sell art but also be an experiential work of art and a sanctuary. I made a living as a professional caricature artist for over 20 years, and after a combination of several different life events, I decided to pursue my dream and open a gallery shop in October of 2023.

The Mysterious Others gallery shop was created to provide a safe space for people to explore spirituality, creativity, and self-awareness, with an underlying theme of connection to our Mother Earth. In my youth, growing up in a chaotic environment, I turned towards nature, art, imagination, and spirituality to help me feel safe. These experiences planted the seed for what would eventually grow into the Mysterious Others, a body of creative work that evolved into a gallery shop where others could rediscover their own connection to nature, art, imagination, and spirituality. Even more than that—it’s where I bring my creative visions to life. My art studio is housed within the same space, serving as the heart of the gallery. The pieces I create here inspire the immersive atmosphere visitors experience, and now, with the addition of the new community area, it all comes full circle as a space for collaboration, connection, and creativity.

Over the past year, since opening the doors to this dream, I’ve been deeply moved by the heartfelt responses from visitors. Comments like, “I want to live in here!” and “It feels so good in here!” have been common, and to me, they speak volumes about the heart and soul I’ve poured into this space. The gallery is not only a store but an immersive experience. Visitors often describe it as a sanctuary where they feel safe, inspired, and connected to something greater. Through art installations, community events, and carefully curated tools such as tarot cards, crystals, and journals, the shop fulfills its mission of fostering creativity, self-awareness, and spiritual growth.

While this has been an incredible learning experience and has really helped me feel connected with my community, it’s become apparent to me that it’s time for me to reach out for help to nurture this beloved project. I recognize that every business has its challenges, especially when starting out, and the love and support of a community can make all the difference during this time.

If you feel compelled to support this dream, here are 3 ways your donations will help:

1. Cost of operation and expansion. When I first opened the Mysterious Others, I shared the space with another shopkeeper, which helped with costs. However, when they decided to leave earlier this year, my rent doubled, leaving me to navigate the increased expenses on my own. I saw this challenge as an opportunity to grow, and so, I’ve been transforming the vacated space into a multifunctional community area with a large, immersive mural. This area will host workshops, gatherings, and events to deepen creativity and connection in the community, aligning with the gallery’s mission of sanctuary and inspiration.

2. Marketing costs. Even though we are located in the heart of downtown Astoria, we are also located in an underground shopping area. With limited foot traffic, Mysterious Others faces the challenge of reaching new customers and building awareness. With your support, we can invest in marketing efforts to grow our community and continue to share this sanctuary with more people. I would like to hire a consultant to ensure effective marketing strategies are being utilized for long-term success.

3. Hiring a team. This has been a one-woman show, and I have now reached the point where it makes more sense to hire help. People who are specialized in areas such as photography and film, customer service, and event planning, to name a few. I would really love to work with a small team of collaborators to help sustain this project and avoid burnout.

I’m committed to keeping this dream alive and expanding its impact, and now I’m reaching out for your support. The saying “Teamwork makes the dream work” never felt more real. Your contribution will go directly toward expenses like marketing, hiring professional collaborators, paying rent, and purchasing inventory, ensuring that the Mysterious Others can continue to be a source of inspiration and healing for all who enter.

Your generosity is truly appreciated. Every contribution, no matter the size, whether it’s $5 or $500, helps keep this space open, vibrant, and full of magic.

With Love,

Heather Colibri and the Mysterious Others

www.mysteriousothers.com