On a crisp November morning, the original First National Bank building on South Lefevre Street found a renewed purpose, buzzing with life and color as The Vault Gallery opened its doors to the community. This isn’t just another art studio—it’s the culmination of a dream nurtured by owner Amana Nova, a lifelong artist and entrepreneur whose passion for art lies in its power to inspire, heal, and connect.
The Vault Gallery celebrated its grand opening on November 9, marking the third maker space Nova has operated. Her first creative space began in California, followed by an art space in Spokane from 2017 to 2020. This new venture is aptly named “The Vault,” not only to signify its value as a creative haven but also in homage to the bank vault still standing inside the historic building.
Nova, who moved from Laguna Beach to Medical Lake a decade ago to be closer to family, describes the West Plains communities as “incredible” and full of untapped potential.
She said Medical Lake’s natural beauty and interesting history make it a great place to live and visit, so she hopes her business will draw people to come out to the West Plains.
Nova said her big dream would be to organize an effort to put mosaics up in Medical Lake that represent a visual history for people to look at, and maybe get interested in art themselves.
“I love creating, but I love inspiring others even more,” Nova shared. “I wanted to offer a quiet, safe space where people can take a class, make art, or simply hang out.”
The Vault Gallery offers a broad range of artistic mediums, from ceramics and painting to glass fusing and jewelry making. Nova intentionally designed the space to welcome everyone, from seasoned artists to curious beginners. She also provides classes for children, catering to the needs of local families.
Visitors to the gallery are welcomed into a relaxed, vintage-inspired space, complete with coffee, drinks, and snacks. The atmosphere is inviting, encouraging creativity and connection.
“Medical Lake and the West Plains needed a place like this,” she said. “I really wanted to serve the after-school kids, to give them somewhere constructive and inspiring to spend their time.”
Guests can drop in for classes Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., or Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Private classes and party reservations are also available, offering a personalized touch.
The gallery isn’t just about creating art; it’s about building connections.
Nova’s efforts to foster community through art were evident in her mosaic-making event for residents impacted by the Gray Fire. Medical Lake Mayor Terri Cooper approached Nova and asked her if she was willing to hold a class, and she jumped at the opportunity. Participants brought remnants of plates or other belongings lost in the fire’s devastation, and transformed them into meaningful mosaics.
“The greatest part about it was the healing through the conversations people were having,” Nova said. “Art can be such a powerful tool for creating connections that can help process grief.”
Studies show that art can be therapeutic, showing rhythmic movements like sculpting or painting can stimulate the release of serotonin and dopamine, helping individuals achieve a state of calm and reflection. Art can also enhance emotional expression, and promote healing on both physical and psychological level.
Nova’s desire to help others has always been ingrained, and that drive has had an international impact.
Nova’s artistic journey has spanned continents, cultures, and causes. In Nepal, she worked to empower women by teaching them to recycle worn items, and spin the fibers into new yarn. She said this helped provide both an eco-friendly solution for some material waste, and helped create a pathway to financial independence. Her company, Mango Moon, marketed these products internationally, driving sales that directly supported impoverished communities.
In 2004, Nova was in Indonesia following the devastating tsunami that claimed over 175,000 lives. She observed the production of sarongs and encouraged local women to repurpose wasted threads into yarn. The initiative not only reduced waste but also created an additional income stream for families struggling to rebuild their lives.
“Art has always been more about creating than having, and more about the process than the product,” Nova explained.
Nova’s passion for art extends far beyond the business side, building some very close bonds along her journey. She recounted a story of Julia, a 16-year-old student who, despite battling a brain tumor, found solace in glass fusion. Nova said that despite Juia’s daily struggles, she was always bright eyed when it came to her art. On one occasion Julia proposed bringing art supplies to the cancer ward at Sacred Heart Medical Center, where the children battling different stages and types of cancer created a Christmas Tree together.
“Julia’s idea was to have everyone in the ward contribute,” Nova said. “The joy on their faces and the sense of accomplishment they showed, it was truly remarkable.”
“And it was that brave little girl that made it happen,” she added.
Nova’s experience with Julia has been one of the most impactful in her life and said it shows the transformative power of art, a belief that continues to guide Nova’s mission at The Vault Gallery.
Nova is also deeply invested in the Medical Lake community, actively participating in local initiatives like Re*Imagine Medical Lake. She plans to keep The Vault’s doors open for annual celebrations and events, further weaving her business into the fabric of the town. She plans on being an active part of Winterfest, Founder’s Day, and many of the vendor days that take place throughout the year.
Looking to the future, Nova’s goals remain simple yet impactful: to increase awareness of The Vault Gallery and to see more people walk through the doors so she can teach and inspire. “It’s all about creating that community environment,” she said.
For Nova, success isn’t measured in numbers but in moments—of creativity sparked, connections made, and healing. “I hope to see people discover the joy of creating and how it can bring us closer together,” she said.
As The Vault Gallery establishes its place in Medical Lake, it promises to be more than just an art space. It’s a testament to the resilience of art, the power of community, and one woman’s dedication to inspiring others.
Q: What is your greatest accomplishment in the world of art?
A: I lived in Indonesia for many years and did a lot of work in Nepal. My contribution there is that I would find villages where the women were very poor, and give them ideas, and then market their products. In Nepal I found out the women could produce yarn by breaking down and re spinning the fabric in old silk sarees. They were able to produce a very beautiful yarn, and we were able to sell this yarn to over 500 stores, so we supported a lot of women for many years by selling the yarn they created. Similarly, in Indonesia I helped women repurpose thread waste to be spun into sellable yarn. So, I was able to help women in marginalized and impoverished communities utilize their artistic skills to make money.
Q: What do you enjoy about living and working in a smaller community?
A: Well, the smaller communities all remind me of villages, where things are centered around the community and community involvement. That’s what I love about Medical Lake. Most of the annual events are right here in the heart of the community. When I went to Ireland, I went to these small villages, and all of them had meeting places for the community to gather and I thought “Why don’t we have that in Medical Lake? Why don’t we have a spot people can gather to just create and converse?” That’s a big reason I went ahead and started this up out here.
Q: What got you initially interested in art? Was there a catalyst moment, or has it always just been there?
A: You know, I’ve always loved being around creative people and creating community. So, art has always been an avenue that I’ve traveled to find like-minded people. I have had some major moments as an artist, but the love for art and bringing people together has always been part of me.
Q: Do you have plans to possibly try partnering with the local school district to organize something?
A: I did have one of the teachers from the middle school come in and told me there is a definite need for after school activities for kids. He suggested I make flyers that he could distribute to his students. Planning any big events would take meeting with the school board, which I am open to but don’t have any absolute plans for that yet.
Q: What goals do you have moving forward?
A: Well, short term I just want to keep building the brand and bringing people through my doors. Looking forward I do want to pursue the possibility of creating mosaics for buildings around town, because that can really create something special within the community. It will also need to be a community-based project in which we have a lot of people creating small sections of mosaic. That way their hands would be directly tied to the project and history of the community. But for now, I am happy building connections and running my little parlor.
