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November 10, 2022Recently, a new business has been gracing the art community of Oklahoma City, offering a variety of items including stationary, magnets and prints – all with a decidedly Catholic influence, all sold online from a home in northwest Oklahoma City.
Stephen and Leigha Liuzza are the proprietors of Zelie Creative Co. Leigha is the co-founder with sister, Julia Price, who serves as a graphic designer. Stephen is a physical therapist and serves as CFO and COO of the company.
The business was named after Saint Zélie Guérin Martin, the mother of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux.
“She was a devoted wife and mother, focused mostly on leading her family to Christ. Leigha and her sister, Julia, really connect with that priority,” explained Stephen. “Secondly, she was a lacemaker and small-business owner. So, to call her our patron seems right since she’s also a creative spirit.”
The Liuzzas are members of Saint Eugene Catholic Church in Oklahoma City. It was at Saint Eugene that the couple met, although Stephen is originally from New Orleans. His father relocated to Oklahoma City for his medical career, and Stephen soon followed, after graduating from Louisiana State University.
“My father took a job doing hospital administration, and after graduating, I moved home to live with my parents, and save money,” said Stephen.
Leigha added, “We met at church, and the rest is history.”
Stephen would later finish his physical therapy education at Langston University. The couple soon started a family together, with Stephen in his physical therapy role, and Leigha as an art teacher at Mount Saint Mary Catholic High School in Oklahoma City. It was there she first received inspiration in her art.
“For the last six years, I’ve taught at Mount Saint Mary Catholic High School, so Catholic art has always been on the forefront of my mind, especially working there,” said Leigha.
Leigha had long toyed with the idea of a venture into the art world, especially with a Catholic perspective, and with a growing family, she found an opportunity as she became a stay-at-home mom.
“We had two kids, and expect our next one next year, and teaching at that time was going to be challenging – raising kids – and we thought this would make a bigger impact,” said Stephen.
Leigha added that it impacted both their faith and community.
“I’ve loved art for years, but once I started focusing on Catholic art and imagery that glorified God, I’ve been overflowing with ideas, and I think that the only way to describe it is the Holy Spirit’s influence,” said Leigha. “God wants me to be doing this. He will take care of our family, even if there are ebbs and flows in the business side of things.”
The Liuzzas started their business in January, and by February they would see a “flow,” starting with the SEEK Conference, which is put on by the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS). Although it is traditionally a national conference, because of the pandemic, it was only held at the state level.
“This year, because of COVID-19, the Oklahoma schools that have FOCUS on their campus were all at the Omni Hotel together,” explained Leigha, adding that there were approximately 300 people in attendance. “Most of our sales have come through local conferences and craft fairs. That is how we meet a lot of people and make a lot of connections.”
Since then, they have exhibited at several other conferences, making more connections along the way.
“We started at the SEEK conference, and we’ve done about six more conferences this year already,” said Stephen.
Zelie Creative Co. offers a variety of artwork, including magnets, stationary, stickers and prints, all created from a Catholic perspective. In addition to conferences, they also sell online through their website, as well as on Etsy. Their customers are primarily Catholics, but they certainly do not need to be.
“It ranges from high school students to young members, middle aged people looking for Confirmation gifts,” said Leigha. “We’ve had the older population, who will buy for their grandchildren.”
The company has also seen business from individual parishes.
“We’ve had a few communications with priests within our archdiocese who have ordered from us to use in their ministry, as well,” said Leigha.
Leigha and Stephen don’t intend to open a store soon, but through the internet, they are seeking to make a positive impact; not just in the archdiocese, but in the community at large.
“We are very appreciative of the support that has been shown to us, and we are looking forward to reaching out to other people and parishes in the archdiocese,” explained Stephen. “We are thankful for and prayerful of our community.”
Visit zeliecreativeco.com.
Everett Brazil, III is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.
Photo: Stephen and Leigha Liuzza. Photo provided.
