Gina’s Paper Mountain
Linden, VA
www.GinasPaperMountain.com
Growing up as a child in New York City, Gina Arzola was very intrigued by the colorful and intricate murals and graffiti on places where it seemed impossible to reach.
“How did they do that? How did they get up there?” she thought. “I remember seeing paper flowers evoked the same sentiment.”
That curiosity, along with her mother’s creativity, led her to a lifelong exploration of the arts.
By day, Gina works four days a week in the pharmacy of a local hospital. Nights and weekends, she runs Gina’s Paper Mountain in Linden.
Looking for a creative outlet, her business began as a hobby. As she says, “I stumbled upon paper art/flowers.”
Gina lives with her husband Tony and their five dogs. When she is not working, she uses her time to network with other small businesses, go on trail walks with her husband, and listen to podcasts or documentaries. She is a true crime junkie.
At the recent Crossroads Arts Alliance show, Gina’s piece “Mushrooms” was voted Best in Show by exhibit visitors. Gina often donates items for auction for various funding opportunities for different causes. She also hosts paper flower workshops, which she has done for children and adults alike. She is currently working on hosting a workshop at the hospital to create paper flowers for the infusion center that treats cancer patients.
Gina encourages and inspires others by being very open with her teaching.
“My small business journey has opened doors for me to be featured in various big projects out of state, being featured on the local news, as well as expanding my work portfolio over the years.”