Hang on... what is this joyful place?
2. This is process art & sensory play
3. Our workshops are small
1. Your kiddo decides
4. We are (mostly) sustainable
6. We share our creative joy
7. We are uniquely creative
Process art is when the joy of making matters more than the final piece. We create with the tools and materials in front of us and see where our imaginations take us – and we make some wild and beautiful stuff!
Our sensory and small-world play area invites your child to a calm, consistent place where they can engage, observe, or regulate, depending on their energy level.
With only four to six kiddos in the studio, I can treat their ideas and feelings with dignity. We build trust – in ourselves and one another. We all matter.
Each workshop, you child can move between a solo activity, a group activity where we learn to "braid our ideas together," and a sensory activity. We then clean up the studio together and end with story time.
Many of our materials are secondhand and most of our projects can be reused, recycled, or composted when we're done. We often source our materials from our sweet neighbours and local businesses.
Each season, we share a big collaborative creation with the elders & staff of the Manoir Beaconsfield, which is down the street from our studio.
5. We are neuroaffirming
- Consent is our top priority
- Safe stimming & movement are encouraged
- Co-regulation and bridge-building between neurotypical and neurodivergent conversation styles is provided as needed
- Noise cancelling headphones and flexible seating options are always available
- We agree on the lighting level as a group before we get started
- I'm always listening, learning, making mistakes, apologizing, and trying again
community
creativity
connection
inspiration, questioning the status quo, innovation, mistakes, failure, perseverance, frustration, joy
to family & friends,
to animals, to the planet, our similarities & differences, fights & forgiveness
the power of art to bring people together, art as activism, art as a bridge between generations & across cultures
These books spark rich conversations about our own experiences – and expose us to new ones too. We might disagree with one another, and that's ok. Disagreement, and even conflicts, are important parts of being in community.
If these kinds of books and conversations don't align with your parenting, Atelier Spark won't be a good fit for your kiddo.
nope, I think another PLace would be a better fit
If you answered "no" to any of these questions, then another place would be a better fit.
Still not quite sure? Book a visit or a trial class to see if it feels right.
My top 3 Jeopardy categories would be:
- Being an elementary teacher AND not wanting to teach in a typical classroom
- Kids' creative development
- Parenting a neurosparkly kiddo while also being neurodivergent*
So what does that mean for your family? In my studio, your kiddo will be:
- respected and celebrated for their unique way of being in the world,
- excited to come to the studio each week because I balance structure, predictability, with a tiny bit of chaos and silliness, and
- part of a wee community of creative souls who really see and care about them.
Get my free guide to find your family's "messy middle" & my monthly-ish newsletter
Ignite your kiddo's creative confidence – without the overwhelm!
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Take a look and see what you can figure out! Want to chat about it? Let me know.
And be sure to check your email and confirm your subscription. I'll let you know when early registration begins for our next series of playgroups & workshops. You'll also receive my next monthly newsletter. Huzzah!
Awesome sauce! Let's dive in and figure this out!
– Kate
"I love doing the three-minute dance parties!"
– blaise
"I love going to art class as much as I love going to [my best friend] River's house."
What the kiddos are saying...
– Selen
"Our boys come home so happy and relaxed after Atelier Spark because they can just create freely and be themselves."
– kayla
"My daughter asks every day if we're going to Lindsay's studio. She's totally in her element there. Lindsay creates such a loving atmosphere."