In Conversation: The Founders of Ola Studio

Ola Studio began in a small church group in New York in 2023, where Simi and Dawn connected over conversations about art, community and purpose. What started as casual brainstorming soon became the foundation for a creative space built around their shared vision. Their idea was to create more than a studio - a place where creativity, collaboration and worship could coexist, and where creatives could feel a true sense of belonging. Today, Ola Studio is a reflection of that vision: intentional, intimate and designed to give creativity room to flourish. We sat down with Simi and Dawn to expand on their ourney, the vision behind Ola Studio, and what it means to build a space for New York’s creative community.

1. What inspired you to create Ola Studio, and what did you feel was missing that you wanted to bring into the creative landscape of New York?

Ola Studio was created to be a home away from home for creatives in New York City; a place to gather, feel inspired, and create. We wanted it to feel like an oasis, somewhere you could leave whatever you were carrying at the door and enter a space where you felt an immediate sense of belonging. At its core, Ola was born from our desire to nourish New York’s creative ecosystem, particularly for the African and Black diaspora. As creatives ourselves, we wanted to build the kind of space we were craving: one rooted in culture, community, beauty, and possibility. In many ways, Ola is our love letter to New York. It’s a reflection of the love we have for this city and for the creative community that makes it what it is.

2. What does the name “Ola” represent, and how does that idea connect to the identity of the space?

The name Ola comes from our mothers, who coincidentally share the same name. In Yoruba, “ola” means wealth, which felt especially meaningful to us. We think of wealth as the creativity, knowledge, culture, resources, and connections that exist within our community. Our hope is to contribute to that collective wealth and create a space where it can be shared, nurtured, and multiplied. That spirit is at the heart of Ola.

3. When you imagined Ola Studio before it existed, what did you want people to feel when they walked through the doors?

We wanted people to feel two things immediately: inspired and at home. There’s a real sense of belonging that we wanted the space to evoke. Ola is unapologetically Black and African, and it was important for that identity to be felt loudly. At the same time, we wanted the space to be so thoughtfully and beautifully curated that anyone who walks through the doors feels inspired to create, connect, and spend time here. It’s culturally specific in its point of view, but expansive in the way it welcomes people in.

4. Ola is designed to accommodate different kinds of creative work and gatherings. How do you envision the space evolving alongside the people and projects that come into it?

Ola was intentionally designed to be multifunctional. We never wanted to dictate exactly what the space had to be; instead, we wanted to create a strong foundation and allow our community to continuously reimagine it. We’ve watched Ola transform into a retail space for pop-ups, a gallery for exhibitions, a café for co-working, a set for photoshoots, and a gathering place for events and conversations. That adaptability is one of the things we love most about it. The space becomes what people need it to be. We give people the freedom to transform Ola into the world they need in that moment, whether they’re launching an idea, exhibiting their work, building community, or simply creating something new.

5. What do you think makes a great creative space, and how have you tried to build that into Ola?

We think a great creative space has to feel intentional. There’s something powerful about walking into a space and being able to tell that every object, color, piece of furniture, and detail was chosen for a reason. When everything works together to tell a story, the space itself becomes a source of inspiration. We approached Ola in that same way. Every section was designed with a purpose, from our conversation pit to the dining area and coffee bar. Each of those spaces encourages gathering, conversation, and connection in a slightly different way. We wanted every corner to invite you to stay awhile, to sit, talk, work, create, or discover something new. The design isn’t simply about making Ola beautiful, it’s about creating the conditions for connection and creativity to happen.

. What has the journey of building Ola Studio taught you about creativity, community and creating something of your own?

This journey has taught us that creativity lives inside all of us, and that it becomes even more powerful when it’s shared with community. Before Ola, we didn’t know we could design a space like this until we did. There’s something incredibly rewarding about creating something that begins as an idea in your head and then watching other people find their own meaning and purpose within it. very time we host an event and see people meeting, exchanging ideas, making new connections, or simply enjoying being together, I’m reminded of how important spaces like Ola are. Creatives are hungry for genuine community and places to gather. Being able to create one of those places and watch our community make it their own has been one of the greatest joys of building Ola.

7. As Ola continues to grow, what is the vision for the space and what would you love to see happen here in the years ahead?

We’ve always envisioned Ola as more than a physical space. Ola is a brand, an idea, and ultimately a world that we’re building. As we grow, we’d love to expand into additional spaces, but we’re equally excited about expanding what Ola can mean. That could look like Ola retail and showrooms, cafés, creative experiences, or temporary pop-ups in cities around the world. The thread connecting all of it will always be the same: thoughtful design, creativity, culture, and community. We want to create spaces and experiences where people feel inspired, connected, and like they belong. We’re still at the very beginning of understanding what Ola can become, and that’s what makes this chapter so exciting. There’s so much room for the world of Ola to grow.

For more on the studio visit olastudio.nyc