Why Make Art?

Like so many others in our culture, I grew up thinking that I was not an artist. If I  didn’t have “talent” there was no point in making my own images. Though I tried several times as an adult to learn to draw, I always felt discouraged by my lack of success and would quickly abandon my efforts.

It wasn’t until I signed up for an acrylic painting class in my late 30’s that I experienced the power of art to touch my inner life. I did not find that I had any more talent at art than I had before, but I had an experience as I left class of feeling “awake” for the first time in years. This feeling of being newly aware of myself and my surroundings lasted for the rest of the day, and over the weeks to come, each time I returned to class I had the same experience. It was as though I had been going through life in a dream without even knowing it.

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Why I started Present Sense

I started Present Sense because I wanted a place to do the things I loved with other people: make art, write, practice mindfulness, and create community. These practices have brought so much richness and meaning to my life, and I am thrilled to have the chance to give back some of what I have received.

Making art is one way of waking up and being fully alive, and being a fully-alive, aware human being is at the heart of everything we do here. Classes support you in claiming your personal creative process and using it to cultivate self awareness and your connection to others. No special skills are required to attend classes, as artistic expression is a natural ability in each of us. You will be invited to use this ability to listen deeply to your own voice and nurture and express what is alive in you.

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