Family adds second downtown business

Robert and Deanna Skillman have added a second storefront business, opening Skillman Art Productions at 513 Greybull Ave., next door to Bob’s Diner & Bakery which they also own.

A grand opening Tuesday, Feb. 25 featured a ceremonial ribbon-cutting, a reception for showcase artists Dustin Stephenson of Ten Sleep and Pat Weiner of Greybull, live music and socializing.

It was the first of many such gatherings, according to the Skillmans.

Robert explained how it all came to be, saying, “Deanna always wanted a studio, which is what the restaurant allowed her to have in that she could put her art up.

“Two years ago when we went to North Carolina on vacation, we decided as a family it would be awesome to have a place that incorporates all of our arts.  That’s why it isn’t Skillman Fine Arts; it’s Skillman Art Productions.”

Each member of the family has a stake in the new venture.

Josiah, the oldest of their three boys, is interested in video work and runs Big Fat Unicorn Productions.  Several years ago, he produced “The Muralists,” celebrating the artists who created the Greybull mural on the side of CC’s Pizza.

Josiah said he’s also done commercials and advertisements as well as a documentary about the medical challenges that eventually led to the transplant of a new heart for his brother Ayden.

As for Ayden, now seven months removed from the surgery, he’s doing well.  He’s become quite the sketch artist, according to his father Robert.  They plan to save money for a 3-D printer that would allow him to print D&D characters.

Robert and Dominic, the youngest of the Skillman boys, are into photography.  Dominic enjoys shooting sunflowers in the morning; Robert’s shooting eye wanders, but at the moment, doesn’t have much to display.  Two of his pieces sold at the recent art gala.

Deanna is the most accomplished artist, with several of her paintings on display at the new location. She is also a real estate agent with Birkshire-Hathaway Home Services-Hake Realty, so she will have an office presence there as well.

“And we’re all into music,” Robert continued. “Right now, there’s not room or money, but eventually, we want to produce music. Whether it’s in this building or in another one, we would like to be a recording studio for the community.  

“We mentioned that to a couple people, and they were like, ‘Please, please, make it happen.’

The Skillmans said the business will initially be open evenings and weekends, primarly working around the restaurant schedule, which isn’t as busy this time of year.

At the grand opening, they shared an artist showcase schedule, already booked through the end of the year. Every two months, the artists will be switched out, with a reception to honor the new ones.

Coming soon will be the art of Linda Jolley and Rebecca Kinane, both of Greybull, kicking off with an April 29 reception.