When Kylee Swircenski moved to Kenai two years ago, she had no intention of starting her own business. As someone who regularly uses various forms of holistic medicine, however, Swircenski found herself driving a considerable distance any time she needed to buy materials. One day last October while driving home, she looked over at the empty commercial property next to RD’s Barber Shop, and a thought suddenly occurred to her:

“You know what? I can do this.”

Fast forward just a month later and Swircenski had opened the doors of Positive Vibe, her very own healing consignment shop that doubles as a gallery for local artists. A notable example of the work currently on display is a set of spirit masks handcrafted by artist Helene Griffith and arranged to resemble a choir of voices. Artist Audrey Cucullu had just arrived on Wednesday with her latest piece: a large piece of wood shaped and painted to evoke the image of a flowing blue and yellow river against a black background, or perhaps a geode that had just been cracked open to reveal the colors inside.

As far as healing products, everything from crystals to essential oils to coasters with inspirational messages are available at Positive Vibe. Swircenski even offers demonstrations of healing techniques such as pendulum dowsing for potential customers who may not be familiar with the world of crystals and holistic medicine.

Swircenski has been a massage therapist for about a decade and has always had an interest in healing people’s bodies and minds. The concept of having her consignment shop also function as a venue for local artists to display their work developed naturally, because she feels that art and healing go hand-in-hand.

“There is a natural connection between the two. Healing is art and art is healing,” Said Swircenski.

Positive Vibes also hosts a mask-making class taught by Griffith most Saturdays, and Swircenski hopes to organize more classes with different artists in the future. The gallery is open Monday though Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and is located behind the Wells Fargo in Kenai.

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• By BRIAN MAZUREK, Peninsula Clarion

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