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(Credit: Bev Walz)

On a recent visit to Shelter Island you might have noticed a new art studio above Redding’s Market on Bridge Street. That space, known as Bird House Studio, belongs to longtime Island summer resident Kia Pederson.

Here are five interesting facts about Pederson, her studio and the inspiration Shelter Island has provided her:
1. Acclaimed ’70s style artist Alan Shields inspired her to create art while the two were summer neighbors on Shelter Island. And what better person to inspire you than a man the New York Times once said could make art out of “just about anything.” A retrospective of his work will be displayed at Southampton’s Parrish Art Museum from Oct. 26 through Jan. 19, 2015.
2.  She credits days spent sailing Coecles Harbor with her father for giving her signature style, which she describes as “wind on the water.” “As a sailor, learning to read the wind on the water takes your racing from good to great,” she said. She first began summering here when she was 8 years old.
3. Pederson’s skills aren’t just limited to painting. She’s worked in everything from print making to sculpting  and architecture. She is a graduate of Carleton College in Minnesota where she studied print making, before going on to study architecture at Yale University.
4. The opportunity to have a studio overlooking “the most amazing view of Dering Harbor” drew her to the space above Redding’s. She previously had a home studio.
5.  The studio is open on Saturdays between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.To view the studio at another time make an appointment by calling Pederson at (646) 287-9513.
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