Independent Arts News Reporting 
Pictured Above: Inside The Foundry in Doylestown at the 95 W Court Street location. Photo Credit: Stacey Crescitelli Photography.
Blurring Office and Gallery: Inside The Foundry’s Creative Hub in Doylestown
By: Chrysa Smith
Blurring the lines between office and gallery, The Foundry in Doylestown offers local artists a visible, accessible platform within a shared workspace. In this feature, Chrysa Smith examines the philosophy, artists, and community impact behind the evolving creative hub.
When you think of a foundry, images of machines and metal parts might come to mind. You might say, parts coming together to make a whole product. But in Doylestown, it’s got a slightly different twist. And that is a creative co-working space, where people are the parts, coming together in a location to produce, co-create and make ideas work.
Co-working spaces aren’t new. In fact, this one is the brainchild of Doylestown businesswoman, Chanin Walsh, longtime owner of Brown Dog Design, and now owner/entrepreneur Ashley Muir, who ‘took over’ the operation. The two have turned their love of art into more —- space where artists, writers, even musicians do what they do. It’s become a sort of display space for both emerging and well-known artists to display their artwork on the walls; walls which are worthy of gallery space and even art museums.
Pictured Above: Foundry Founder, Ashley Muir stands in the doorway of the newest Foundry studio location at 152 Main Street, Doylestown. Photo Credit: Stacey Crescitelli Photography.
Here’s how it works. Ashley might put out a call to artists advertising their space. Or, as in one instance, happening upon an artist at a local restaurant. However the meeting arises, complimentary wall space is provided at their 95 West Court Street location. Artists can exhibit their work, not exceeding 40” X 40” for an entire season, with seasons running winter through fall, each lasting about two months. Artists will install and take down their work and are responsible for insuring it while there. They can bring visitors and buyers in and host their own events. “The goal,” says Ashely, “is to feature local artists at no cost to them, and to create more opportunities for artists to make work that the community can experience. It’s about removing barriers, creating visibility and building an environment where artists are supported—not financially strained, by the very act of showing their work.”
Presently, contemporary artist, Tim Motzer, has his colorful canvasses lining the walls. The artist is a musician by trade. He believes his compositions are transformed from musical notes into paint strokes. He says, “I was a musician first, and have always been a visual artist, even as a little kid. Around ’95-’96, a neighbor wanted to get rid of all his paints and canvasses. So, I took inventory and dove into something. I did a painting, and I felt like I understood it. Something from my music transfers over I think it’s in me,” he says. “It’s the same as music for me.” Tim says he’s spent lots of time in art museums, even teaching at the University of the Arts. In fact, he’s quite accomplished, both musically and artistically, having played for dance classes, composed for videographers. “I’m working in an impressionistic abstract world. More recently, I incorporate birds, and other creatures because of spending time in nature.” The musician/artist has a foot in two local areas—Philly and Doylestown. In fact, his Doylestown-based partner introduced Tim to The Foundry. “My partner began working out of there and looked at the walls and said my partner Tim is a painter. “He met Ashley, who in turn, spoke to Tim about his work. She liked it. It all began and is growing.
Pictured Above: Artist Tim Motzer inside The Foundry in Doylestown at the 95 W Court Street location. Photo Credit: Contributed.
I must say, the work looks like it was made for the space. Tim calls it transformational—totally about the vibe. “The paintings vibrate,” he says. “It’s perfect in a space, making it feel more welcoming.” The installation was set in place in time for the Doylestown Arts Festival. In addition to his nine large works, he’s got small paintings, framed to 11 x 14. And much like Ashley, creativity ran in the family. “My mom was a big band singer in 30s/40s., so I grew up in musical household,” Tim says. As for his music, he plays jazz and rock, composes folk and pop. In fact, Ashley says of one of Tim’s favorite paintings, “I see layers of paint interpreting human lives—lives touched by the talents and interests of past and present family members who touch our lives. This touch creates decisions which get carried forward through future family members who carry certain talents and decisions forward again.”
The artwork is available for sale. While artists are encouraged to keep their artwork in place until seasons end, they may also replace them. The Foundry will host openings, cocktail receptions, helping their artists promote events, all in return for providing beautiful art-covered walls in a beautiful, contemporary space, and of course, expose people to the Foundry and its mission.
Pictured Above: Inside The Foundry in Doylestown at the 95 W Court Street location. Photo Credit: Stacey Crescitelli Photography.
So, what exactly is The Foundry’s mission? According to Ashley, it’s a few things. “The Foundry serves as a shared environment where ideas are developed, relationships are formed, and meaningful works take place. Beyond functioning as a place to work, The Foundry is a gathering space—one that values connection, dialogue and creative expression.” With her own background in art, and an artistic grandmother, Ashley believes that creativity is crucial to culture. “Art shapes how we understand the world, how we communicate and how we connect with one another,” she says. “It challenges assumptions, invites curiosity and adds depth and humanity to shared spaces. By presenting art within The Foundry, we hope to make creative expression a visible and vital part of daily life.”
For 2026, Ashley is hoping to establish an endowment—to raise the funds to cover costs of marketing printed pieces, designed promotional graphics and email marketing. “We want The Foundry to continue to remain a low-cost opportunity for local artists and for the community member who attend. We want the barrier to showing work to be as close to zero as possible.” There are currently two locations on Court Street in the center of Doylestown: The Foundry West and The Foundry North. I visited their 95 West Court Street location, impressed with both the space and the beauty of it. Plus there’s something about working with other creatives, and Ashley says most of their clients consider themselves just that. Take it all, tie it together with art, and it’s got a vibe equivalent to any contemporary office/gallery space in Philly or NYC.
Pictured Above: Original artwork by artist Heather Angston. Photo Credit: Contributed.
Which artist is up next? Heather Johnston. She went to Tyler School of Art, got a bachelor’s in art education, then taught for a period. She now calls herself transitioning. Like many young women, Heather stepped out of the work force while raising her family. “While I loved being home with my kids, I felt like I lost some of my identity as an artist.” But as her children grew up and a stint in a retail store proved less than rewarding, Heather told herself ‘This is my time.’ “I realized I’m not a desk dweller. I need to be creative. I have this talent for a reason. So, I jumped in.” She made herself a website and started painting daily with different mediums. “I’ve done traditional paintings, like Bucks County scenery, but I was trying to find my uniqueness, which came out in abstract, bright, bold colors. There’s lots of mark-making (visible strokes), even gold. It all shows my transition—chaos vs calm.” Painting is an emotional release for the artist, who is also a potter, which she says grounds her. Her opening is March 24th, when Ashley will put on an event with an opening reception. “It’s a fabulous opportunity,” Heather says. “Ashley saw me on IG, commented on my work.” She says she will exhibit 18 pieces and hopes this leads to other showings. “It’s very different doing abstract, having to explain my paintings. It causes me to self-reflect.”
I’d say Ashley found her sweet spot, and so have the artists whose work graces her walls. Look for the opening of a third location for The Foundry. Stay tuned!
For more information, contact:
Ashley Muir
The Foundry
Thefoundry.studio
hello@thefoundrystudio
215-237-9441
