Artful Mindscape Journey
Five years ago, I started running monthly workshops for primary school children as my first attempt to connect psychological health and art. I was motivated by frustration with the educational system, which I believed neglected to nurture children's creativity, a crucial innate ability. This neglect hindered the development of important skills like non-verbal self-expression, self-awareness, mindfulness, observation, collaboration, planning, delayed gratification, and attention. Drawing, music, drama, and dance all support healthy psychological growth, especially when the focus is on the process, not just the measurable outcome. Creativity is a gift, but without the right environment, it withers. As a neuroscientist, I knew that arts education was beneficial for the development of resilient and thriving young minds. I was on maternity leave and had time on my hands, so, I rented a room in a community center and named my venture Artful Mindscape. Though I didn't have a grand vision at the time, I had intuition and a bit of stubbornness .
Not knowing how to define my work precisely, I followed my curiosity in various directions, teaching children about art, teaching artists about the brain, and teaching adults about the connection between the brain and art. I ran workshops in person and online. Eventually, I realised my dream of a safe space for people to escape their daily demands by moving into a cozy loft studio above the New England Coffee House in Stow-on-the-Wold.
My interest became an obsession, leading me on an unexpected learning journey. I read numerous books, attended courses, participated in projects, and even earned a coaching diploma. All of this was in pursuit of a deeper understanding of how our biology and psychology interact with artful experiences and how they can transform our lives. This exploration gave birth to Artful Brain, a six-week course that provides evidence-based insights into why and how art and beauty strengthen our physical and psychological well-being. With this course, Artful Mindscape shifted its focus and embarked on a mission to transform the experience of life by exploring the interaction between art and self-knowledge, which brings joy, fosters resilience, increases presence, and sharpens our focus.
It's amazing what can happen when you follow your curiosity and intuition. Workshops with children were the beginning and have since evolved into something fresh and different. It has been a beautiful journey, made possible by the support of kind-hearted individuals who share a desire to learn and make the world a better place. Thank you all!
With love,
Kariné
P.S.: Providing artful opportunities for children remains an important issue, and it's heartwarming to know that wonderful charities like Access Art are doing amazing work to improve the situation in schools, although there is still a long way to go.
