coincidence of timing

karen klucowicz • October 19, 2020

looking back is not always a bad thing (lol)

Wow! This morning I was concept journalling (this is where I go to inspire painting ideas and dump any thoughts that are disrupting my flow) and when I looked back over a few pages in this particular sketchbook I noticed my writings of one year ago today! That was the day I landed on the concept to establish the studio! One year later with the roller coaster ride Covid-19 put us all on, the studio is here and on the right track.

Thought I’d share the key concepts that I landed on a year ago as well as where it’s at right now... [if I can decipher and transcribe my writing]. Keeping perspective, hope and motivation in mind...

extracts from my 2019 notes...(yes, I recognize it is not corporate-speak but I’m putting it out there anyway!)

“Basically there are three prongs to my plan :
  1. for companies to use art to grow their business in fun and purposeful ways with team-building art events in workshops, retreats and conferences.
  2. develop an artists peer network, retreats for artists to get together, grow their own personal work and learn from each other in alternate spaces and locations.
  3. help to build a further appreciation for the arts through workshops where art enthusiasts can experiment and experience visual art personally and art-holidays to explore painting and the art of other countries.
the common elements?
• passion for art  • the role art can play for people

All of this fuels my creative spirit to fuel creativity in others.

Sharing art - bridging industries and communities, inspiring new ideas, growth of individuals which ultimately grows a community of communication whether that be a company’s mandate, an artists portfolio or individuals’ relationships.”

six months later... So that is where I began in terms of developing the studio plan which, of course, this year became a work in progress. Originally I was just going to look for a studio space to work on my art outside of home, however, the other ideas I’ve had over the years kept gnawing at me and as I spilled them into my sketching journals, it evolved to be a more interesting, dynamic, far-reaching and some say ambitious (lol) plan. The pandemic lock-downs and restrictions were a scary challenge to accept but having signed the lease, I resolved to commit to the plan, ‘pivot’ as they say and power on. A few of the ideas had to be put on the back burner with travel restrictions (retreats and art holidays) and a few had to shift to in terms of delivering the services (ie going virtual for workshops). Nonetheless it is in motion!

now, October 2020... You can visit the website to see the full extent of what the studio delivers, however, in a nutshell it has arrived today to be an artist-run [that’s me :)] space with:
  • workshops designed and launched for individuals;
  • a physical gallery in the space where multiple artists can show (just launched our first group exhibition and had a few sales!),  getting artists together to network and share ideas; and
  • creative ideas [that have been very successful to-date] for companies to team-build, enhance their culture and engage talent through art experiences.

fingers-crossed for October 2021... Pending portions of the plan remain and I’m hopeful that as the world heals they will come sooner rather than later...
  • creative retreats for artists . traveling together on a creative retreat to feed off of the energy, inspiration and  creativity of their peers, as well as experience the arts of other countries;
  • art-experience holidays for individuals to live like an artist and live art in other countries; and
  • corporate conference partnering.
  • growing the studio client-base to include employment for additional artists, further support and collaboration with local businesses that enhance the art-experiences.

In the interim, please support your local entrepreneurs, artists, art spaces, participate as restrictions allow and stay well.
Art is critical.

As I launched the studio I also arrived at the tag “Live the power of art.©”
I know artists do and I truly believe we can deliver this experience for others.
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