Flourish Creativity & Wellness Studio
FAQ
Below we have answered some frequently asked questions about Flourish and about creative wellness. If you have other questions, please feel free to contact us. Ready to create boldly, grow wildly, and truly live fully? Start your creative wellness journey with one of our workshops by registering here.
Q: What are creative wellness workshops? Art they right for me?
A: For many years, researchers have documented the positive benefits associated with participating in creative and artistic activities. From lowering cortisol, the stress hormone, to helping to calm the nervous system and bring connection to others, participating regularly in creative workshops is an excellent way to care for yourself physically and mentally. Flourish Creativity & Wellness Studio creates a wide variety of programs to meet the needs and interests of people who are looking for a new way to stress less and enjoy life more creatively. Flourish programs combine mindful art techniques, creative activities, and thoughtful guidance to help participants get the most out of every session. We believe creating art and fostering personal creativity is a process to enrich your life and allow for meaningful personal reflection. It's not just an end product.
Q: Why are there multiple classes with the same title offered? Are all of the activities the same?
A: At Flourish we have certain signature programs that are designed to be foundational programs for developing personal reflective art practice. Each one will have a different theme and/or different materials and art techniques used. For example, if you attend multiple Calm & Color workshops or several Art & Intention programs, each will focus on a different theme and will use varying artistic materials and techniques to explore the theme. However, the overall intention of the program, such as developing mindfulness in Calm and Color or reflecting on positive self affirmations in Art and Intention, remain consistent between classes. Participants are always welcome to attend one or more Flourish classes and will have a different creative experience each time. Attending multiple programs will allow you to understand the flow of Flourish lessons, develop a supportive creative community, and will also allow you to deepen your personal creative practice, both during and after workshops.
Q: I'm not an artist. I can't draw stick figures. Can I still benefit from Flourish's creative programs?
A: Absolutely! Creativity belongs to everyone, not just someone that is thought of as "artistically talented". Flourish programs are guided creative experiences that allow all people to express themselves through art in a positive and supportive environment. Participating in creative programs have tremendous benefits for everyone, regardless of previous art experience.
Q: Do I have to purchase art materials separately for each class or workshop?
A: All Flourish programs provide all needed materials for the class as part of the workshop registration fee. Some workshops may suggest participants bring in items that have special meaning to them, such as pictures, to use during the workshop in order to give deeper meaning to their experience. However, no additional materials are ever required in order to participate in the classes.
Q: Is there any real, scientific evidence that participating in creative wellness workshops can be beneficial to me?
A: Yes, and research supporting creative experiences for overall well-being continues to grow. Engaging in artistic activities such as painting, music, or other arts can lower levels of cortisol, the hormone associated with stress. In one study, participants who spent just 45 minutes creating art showed significant reductions in cortisol levels, regardless of their artistic skill level (Kaimal et al., 2016). Creative activities also promote relaxation responses in the nervous system, helping shift the body from a stress state toward calm (Stuckey & Nobel, 2010). Likewise, some health insurances cover the cost of participating in creative arts experiences as part of their members' overall social and mental wellness. For more research-based information on the benefits of creativity, follow Flourish on Instagram, @FlourishCreativietyandWellness, for book recommendations each month that focus on creative practice and the science of creativity.
Q: Do I have to share my artwork in workshops? Do I have to talk about my art in front of other people?
A: Sharing during Flourish workshops is always voluntary and is never required for any participant. While many people do enjoy sharing their thoughts and insights of the creative process with others, creating art can be a very personal experience. Most Flourish workshops intentionally have a limited number of participants so that everyone feels they are in a safe creative space, not a large group, in order to foster a sense of a creative community.
Q: Are Flourish workshops BYOB? Do you allow alcohol or other beverages during classes?
A: Flourish programs do not allow alcohol. Participants are generally engaging in Flourish workshops seeking new methods of self care and self reflection, and alcohol can inhibit the introspective creative process. Light snacks and water are generally available at workshops, and we encourage all participants to bring water bottles, coffee, soft drinks, other preferred beverages, or specific snacks they may want during their class. Please make sure that beverage containers have lids to prevent spillage during class.
Q: How are Flourish creative wellness programs different than regular paint night? Aren't all art classes the same?
A: Paint nights and Flourish programs both use art materials and varied art techniques, but they each have different intentions and goals. Paint nights are classes that are centered around entertainment and reproducing someone else's painting. Paint nights can feel rushed or overstimulating as participants try to keep up with the teacher's next steps. They are designed to be a one-and-done experience.
Flourish's programs are guided art workshops that encourage participants to focus on expressing their own creativity, based on their own interests, experiences, and intentions. Flourish programs focus on the act of creating, not just a preset finished product; Flourish encourages participants to bring what they've learned into their lives to continue experimenting with their own creative practice, even after class ends. Each Flourish workshop allows individuals to express themselves in a unique way, leading to more meaningful and insightful connection between the artist and their art.
Q: Do Flourish workshops only involve painting? Are other materials used?
A: This is a great question! Many people think that "art = painting", and this could not be further from the truth. Creative expression can involve paint, but can also involve pencils, markers, crayons, colored pencils, mixed media, ink, collage, and all sorts of different art materials and techniques. At Flourish, program emphasis is on experimenting with creativity, so often multiple kinds of art media will be available during programs. When specific media is going to be used, such as watercolor paints, that may be noted in the class description; even then, additional kinds of art media may be used as well. Creativity is about learning to feel comfortable experimenting with art materials for expanding expression, not limiting it with "art rules".
Q: Where are Flourish workshops held? Is there a studio space?
A: Flourish Creativity & Wellness Studio is a mobile art studio designed to be able to bring premium, specialized creative wellness programming to venues throughout Southeastern MA and RI, as well as to locations throughout New England. Workshops at partner venues that are open to the public will be posted on Flourish's registration page, available here. Flourish also offers private and corporate events which are not be open for public clients. All registration for public workshops offered by Flourish will be hosted on the Flourish website, and class location information will be posted for each session. If you are interested in a private event, or if you are an aligned venue (wellness center, yoga studio, municipal community space, etc.) that would like to host Flourish public community programs, please click here to get in touch so we can plan your creative event!
Q: What are some of Flourish's important goals and expectations during workshops? Is everyone welcome to participate?
A: All Flourish programs are designed to be welcoming and safe spaces for participants to express themselves creatively and be able to reflect on their artwork for personal growth. All programs are designed for people ages 18+. Occasionally workshops will be designed primarily for a specific group, such as women or people of a certain age or life experience. Unless otherwise stated, all classes are open to all adults who are interested
in exploring their creativity. For more information on Flourish's Vision, please click here. For Flourish's Terms and Conditions for participation, please click here. If there are other questions you may have, or if there are specific accommodations or needs you would like to discuss, please contact Flourish for more information.
Q: I'd like a more personalized creative wellness experience. Are personalized classes available?
A: Yes. Flourish offers individualized art classes and creative wellness coaching packages that are specifically aligned with your goals and interests. Individualized programs are created individually and are separate from the public programs offered by Flourish. Please contact us to learn more about what individualized programs are available to meet your needs and goals.