Nestled in and among the galleries, restaurants and shops on Park Lane is a trove of healers and artists who - somewhat serendipitously - have created a mecca of healing and art. The eight alternative-medicine practitioners at The Park Lane Wellness Center will treat what ails you with massage, acupuncture, reflexology and hypnotherapy.
But there's more. Most of them are also prolific artists, and as such they hope to promote the healing process with their myriad of watercolors, acrylics and photographs that grace the walls of the waiting room and lobby.
They will also be participating in the July 13 Kirkland Art Walk with an open house, from 6-9 p.m., where four of the practitioners will be featuring their work.
"My first love is healing people," says co-owner/ massage practitioner/artist Donna Ray, who along with fellow massage practitioner/singer Denise Ragnone, have attempted to create a milieu that encourages people to heal in unique and creative ways ... but first the daily buzz has to be interrupted. "People walk in, come up the stairs and immediately notice the aromatherapy and the art on the walls. People love our space because it's quiet. It's all about you."
The center, which was launched in January 2003, occupies the entire upstairs suite, along with 7 Dragons Acupuncture run by Finn Hill resident Nicole Parkhill. Ray proudly notes that her office, which is co-operatively run with shared decision-making and some costs, has been full since shortly after her business opened. "We wanted a space where other practitioners would want to practice," says Ray. "Making money is not primary - we wanted to run the business cheaply but to make it [healing] affordable. We're building a good dynamic."
Is it happenstance that the healers also double as artists? Ray says that the common ground for the practitioners is healing; their shared love of art has forged and strengthened their bond. "We had an art day here that really inspired the practitioners," Ray says. "We have regular meetings where we're there to support each other. We tend to get isolated and it's important to have a peer group."
Open house to feature aromatherapy and paraffin
The open house will feature art on the walls, healing therapies, tarot readers, an aromatherapy bar, free paraffin dips and free gifts. The center usually does one open house a year, the previous two having the unfortunate distinction of falling on the same night as a snow storm and power outage. The group decided to avoid winter open houses in the future and instead opted for Art Walk night.
Ray says they will have quarterly - not monthly - art shows - so the practitioners can concentrate on their work. But the part of the group's core belief is to offer a creative place for people to heal, so a balance is sought.
"Art is an expression of emotion. We're working on healing people's emotions and trying to get them to explore creative way to heal themselves," says Ray. "Through the body work, we open up channels for people; they are inspired by having practitioners who are into art and photography."
Grew up on Finn Hill
Ray, who was part of Juanita High School's first graduating class, only recently moved to Snohomish after growing up on Finn Hill. After years in corporate life, she got her massage license in 1996 and rented space in her current office, adjacent to Ragnone, who was also practicing massage.
Having had "less than positive experiences working for other people," according to Ray, they decided to convert the entire suite to a wellness center/art space.
With her business background - and now as a business owner - Ray is aware of how computers assault our senses, especially our eyes. "It's important to open people up to how they can use their bodies differently," she says. "Through the process of accessing people's tissues, it helps release stored tension and emotion. It helps people open up to new possibilities of new ways of living their lives."
The Park Lane Wellness Center is located on the second floor of 143 Park Lane, 827-3102. A Web site is forthcoming.[[In-content Ad]]
