A couple of weeks ago, a few parents have asked me this as they dropped off/picked up their young creatives from our after-school classes:
“Franzi, when will you offer something like this for us?”
Several friends have also voiced their interest in experiencing the same calm, playful environment we create for the kids.
If you have been following for a while, you might know that this isn’t the first time this topic has come up. I have soooo many ideas in the art & play space, but this just seems to be one of those that won’t let go of me:
What if we carved out adult-only time where we honour curiosity and play, just as we do with our tamariki?
Shortly after this came up, I shared this thought with my business mentor who’s deep (like, deep-deep) in the whirlwind of start-up life. And we found ourselves chatting about the cost of “always being on.” Long hours, endless to-do lists, and a constant chase for innovation, productivity and “doing enough” (what does that even mean?!).
Yet, research (and our lived experience!) shows that real breakthroughs often come when we step away from screens, deadlines, and the problems we’re “so close to solving” (and think we will solve if only we stayed with it for a few more minutes = hours).
I don’t know about you, but my best ideas come when I’m floating on my surfboard in the ocean. Or when I’m mindlessly doodling in my notebook. Maybe for you it’s those famous shower insights… Or random “heureka!” moments when doing the dishes.
Process art (= creative experiences where we don’t worry about the outcome) offers sooo many opportunities to experience these kinds of moments. Opportunities to step away from the daily grind, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Opportunities to let our hands wander, and by doing so, our minds too.
Experimenting with clay, painting without step-by-step instructions, drawing or doodling without knowing what we’ll end up with… The act of creating without prescription opens up new pathways in our brains.
Wait… new neural pathways even though we’re “all grown up”?
Yes, you read that right.
Turns out, when we make art just to make art (or play just to play), we solve problems more creatively, collaborate more openly, and return to our desks with fresh ideas and a calmer mind. While it may seem like you’re “just wasting time” and “not being productive”, you’re actually investing in your creativity and wellbeing.
From a process-driven approach (so, valuing exploration over perfection), every creative experience is an invitation to slow down and connect: with materials, with others, and with that curious part of ourselves (aka our inner child) that believes anything is possible.
So here’s my invitation to you (*insert drumroll*):
Express your interest for our first Adult Create & Play Evenings! Just reach out via email with a quick “let’s play” (this is totally non-committal). 😊
Expect plenty of open-ended prompts, experimentation with a range of art supplies, and a quiet, peaceful time away from your to-do lists. No art experience required, just a willingness to play.
Maybe you’re craving calm after a busy week, needing a mid-project creative reset, or simply have forgotten the joy of “just because” (it happens to the best of us!) … Come and give your creativity the space it deserves!
When we allow ourselves to play, we aren’t escaping life’s demands — we’re equipping ourselves to meet them with renewed energy, a fresh perspective, and a calm, focused mind.
Watch this space for dates and themes! And in the meantime, give yourself permission to doodle in the corners of your notebook, just for the joy of it. (You’re welcome to send me photos if you like 😁)
And with that, happy playing and creating,
Franzi
Imagine Play Inspire 