Odessa Spore Houses Illustration

Why should children have all the fun playing, making a mess? Adults need to play just as much, if not more. Art making is a natural way to reconnect with our innate curiosity and self expression. Allowing ourselves to play creatively supports our health and well being. By getting out of our heads and into our hands and eyes, relating with color and texture, we experience the world in a fresh way. This kind of creative play literally stimulates new brain pathways.

Artplay invites you to treat making and playing as part of your self care routine, much like going to a yoga class to stretch your body. Artplay is about exercising your creative potential.

Artplay is not a traditional art class. It is a shared practice of making, side by side. Each session includes a gentle check in, a short unguided contemplation or meditation focused on sense perception, about five minutes, and individual studio ‘play’ time. We close with a facilitated group sharing, reflecting on what emerged through the process.

Schedule

Weekly Zoom sessions usually take place on Tuesdays or Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 PM Atlantic Time.

Monthly Sunday Artplay Intensives take place on the last Sunday of the month from 3 to 6 PM Atlantic Time.

Weekly sessions run as a four week series for $45 dollars, with occasional $15 dollar drop in spaces available. Monthly Sunday intensives explore optional themes such as sky, imaginary landscape, still life, and self portraiture $30.

Facilitator

Artplay is facilitated by Odessa Spore, a multidisciplinary visual artist and community arts collaborator. Using a contemplative approach to art making, she is like an art doula, committed to your journey of self expression. Participants will receive weekly written inspiration offering thoughtful reflections on art making, drawn from Odessa’s personal practice of bridging play and creativity.

‘The facilitator holds the space beautifully, is a skilled communicator and an inspiration. There is no restrictive definition of what “art” is. Every time I attend I learn something new! Collage, ink, combining media, etc The trust and friendship that has evolved in the community is a highlight of the experience. As well as learning and being inspired by my fellow Artplay friends.’ Julia Creighton, Artplay participant since 2020

‘Artplay is helping me get back into Art after feeling blocked for a long time. A highlight of my experience of Artplay is feeling no hesitation and no fear of messing something up.’ Jo-Anne Brown 2021

‘Besides enjoying the experience of making Art by playing, I like that it’s getting me to approach art making from a different perspective, maybe even from a child’s perspective which encourages me to have fun, explore and take the pressure off so that I don’t feel like I have to get it right.’ Jo-Anne Brown 2021

‘Being able to attend Artplay gives me focus and connection to an amazing group of artists. I have been able to build new relationships and gain inspiration from everyone who attends Artplay. Thank you for creating and hosting a wonderful art class each week.’ Megan Pegg 2021

		‘The facilitator holds the space beautifully, is a skilled communicator and an inspiration. There is no restrictive definition of what “art” is. Every time I attend I learn something new! Collage, ink, combining media, etc The trust and friendship that has evolved in the community is a highlight of the experience. As well as learning and being inspired by my fellow Artplay friends.’ Julia Creighton, Artplay participant since 2020 ‘Artplay is helping me get back into Art after feeling blocked for a long time. A highlight of my experience of Artplay is feeling no hesitation and no fear of messing something up.’ Jo-Anne Brown 2021 ‘Besides enjoying the experience of making Art by playing, I like that it’s getting me to approach art making from a different perspective, maybe even from a child’s perspective which encourages me to have fun, explore and take the pressure off so that I don’t feel like I have to get it right.’ Jo-Anne Brown 2021 ‘Being able to attend Artplay gives me focus and connection to an amazing group of artists. I have been able to build new relationships and gain inspiration from everyone who attends Artplay. Thank you for creating and hosting a wonderful art class each week.’ Megan Pegg 2021
Why should children have all the fun playing, making a mess? Adults need to play just as much, if not more. Art making is a natural way to reconnect with our innate curiosity and self expression. Allowing ourselves to play creatively supports our health and well being. By getting out of our heads and into our hands and eyes, relating with color and texture, we experience the world in a fresh way. This kind of creative play literally stimulates new brain pathways. Artplay invites you to treat making and playing as part of your self care routine, much like going to a yoga class to stretch your body. Artplay is about exercising your creative potential. Artplay is not a traditional art class. It is a shared practice of making, side by side. Each session includes a gentle check in, a short unguided contemplation or meditation focused on sense perception, about five minutes, and individual studio ‘play’ time. We close with a facilitated group sharing, reflecting on what emerged through the process. Schedule Weekly Zoom sessions usually take place on Tuesdays or Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 PM Atlantic Time. Monthly Sunday Artplay Intensives take place on the last Sunday of the month from 3 to 6 PM Atlantic Time. Weekly sessions run as a four week series for $45 dollars, with occasional $15 dollar drop in spaces available. Monthly Sunday intensives explore optional themes such as sky, imaginary landscape, still life, and self portraiture $30. Facilitator Artplay is facilitated by Odessa Spore, a multidisciplinary visual artist and community arts collaborator. Using a contemplative approach to art making, she is like an art doula, committed to your journey of self expression. Participants will receive weekly written inspiration offering thoughtful reflections on art making, drawn from Odessa’s personal practice of bridging play and creativity.