Within a brick building on Old Colorado City’s 25th Street, green leaves soak in the sun next to a shampoo station and barber chair.

It’s not just a hair salon, though.

Across from the window, artist Sean Heinsman sketches a colorful, abstract piece on canvas. Plants, pots, and locally made candles line the shelves, and business cards litter the welcome desk.

RootBound is, as owner Alyssa Kevil calls it, an “art salon.” It’s a collaborative creative space that serves as a hair studio, plant store and workshop venue. Heinsman, Kevil’s husband, enjoys the space to create.

“An art salon is — it’s whatever you want it to be,” said Kevil, who previously practiced hair in a private suite above the current salon.

While she’s been a hairdresser for about 16 years, Kevil has always wanted to create a more community-centric space where people could connect and enjoy themselves. So, when the storefront space opened below her, Kevil jumped at the opportunity and opened RootBound at the start of February.

The salon supports local artists by offering a retail space for them to sell their goods. Many of the artists selling items in the store also teach workshops at RootBound, which hosts several events throughout the week. These range from lessons on making trinket dishes and candles, to yoga classes and sound baths.

Kevil also makes sure to hold workshops centered on plants, like classes on painting pots, plant care and propagating.

“The hosts have a lot of freedom within the workshops. Of course, we have basic guidelines, but really, RootBound’s rules are inclusivity, kindness, those types of things. But other than that, nothing is gonna be too crazy to throw out there for me,” Kevil said.

As a mom to a 1-year-old, Kevil recognizes how important community is, and having this space opens the door. She welcomes family-friendly events, wanting to connect with other parents who might be struggling to find community. It’s a chance for her to learn new things and meet new people, she said.

And here, people can be their authentic selves.

“If they’re getting their hair done, if they are doing art if they’re getting together — I just want them to leave feeling a little bit prouder and more true to themselves,” she said.

Kevil has big goals for the growing space. As someone with ADHD, she is always looking to add more to the space, she said.

“Hair is always going to be where it all began, but RootBound has always been more than just hair,” she said. “More community, more fun things to buy, hair care, more art, definitely more fun, creative ideas.”