Experience the power of creative self-expression to support emotional healing and personal growth through our one-of-a-kind workshops.
THE LIFE-CHANGING
MAGIC OF CREATIVITY
All generations experience stress, but this time it's different. Loneliness, depression, and anxiety are reaching record highs across all age groups. From young adults facing overwhelming pressure to employees struggling with burnout and seniors feeling isolated and forgotten, a public mental health crisis is unfolding. This isn't the time to face these challenges alone. That's why we're building a community wellness space dedicated to helping everyone achieve emotional and mental wellbeing through creative expression and meaningful connection.
Global surveys show that 24% of both women and men report feeling very or fairly lonely.
41% of young people aged 16 to 24 feel lonely. This is higher than any other age group.
30% of adults will be diagnosed with depression at some point in their lifetime.
19% of us were diagnosed with an anxiety disorder in the past year.
37% of women and 30% of men report frequently experiencing high levels of anxiety.
Over a quarter of adults rate their stress levels as 8 or higher on a 10-point scale.
ARE WE THE MOST STRESSED GENERATION EVER?
Statistics suggest that the answer may be yes.
Creative works inspire, educate, unite, move, and heal. For centuries, creative expression has been an important bridge connecting us. From the catharsis of Greek tragedies to the emotional resonance of baroque masterpieces, and the viral power of contemporary street art movements, creativity is a powerful tool for understanding and exploring the human experience.
This connection isn't just external – it's also deeply personal. For this reason, art is the perfect medium for self-discovery and growth. When you embrace creative expression, something magical happens: your thoughts and feelings become engaged in ways distinct from other therapeutic tools and techniques.
Whether you want to spark more joy in your life, boost your self-esteem, find inner calm, learn strategies to better manage your emotions, or simply connect with like-minded people in your community, we’ll share with you evidence-based practices for self-empowerment and meaningful personal growth.
A CREATIVE APPROACH TO MENTAL WELLNESS
The universal language of creativity and art has fostered connection and wellbeing for millennia.
We're creating a community wellness space where creativity becomes a catalyst for deeper conversation.
THE BENEFITS OF CREATIVE EXPRESSION
Researchers and clinicians have long known that weaving, drawing, sewing, scrapbooking, knitting and even gardening and baking are effective tools for decreasing stress, relieving anxiety, and improving depression. Creating something with your hands fosters pride and satisfaction, but it also allows you to physically express complex thoughts and emotions.
The act of creating helps you develop Creative Capacity, a skill that involves accessing the deeper parts of your mind. When you tune in to your true feelings, you begin to uncover your authentic self, and life becomes richer as your mind generates new ideas and possibilities for moving forward.
As you start looking inward and listen to your inner wisdom, transformation happens, and your world begins to change. Fortunately, Creative Capacity exists within all of us. Whether your Creative Capacity is highly honed, needs some practice, or is rough and untouched, developing it holds the potential to guide you in the direction of your most inspiring and rewarding life.
"Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life."
– Pablo Picasso –
SIGNATURE WORKSHOPS
Our workshops, online mental health course, and free art therapy resources provide a holistic approach to wellbeing through creative self-expression and evidence-based practices.
The Magic of Creativity Workshop
Workshop Spotlight: Community Mental Health
This two-part workshop invites you to experience the transformative power of creativity, both personally and collectively. In the first half, you’ll engage in playful, art-based activities that boost mental health, reveal insights about how your mind works, and unlock your brain’s natural problem-solving abilities using nothing more than a box of elementary school art supplies. In the second half, we’ll turn our attention to community mental health, exploring how creativity can help us better understand and meet our emotional needs, not just individually, but together. Through a hands-on activity and fresh perspectives, we’ll reimagine how communities can enhance mental well-being in more accessible and creative ways.
Halifax Central Library | RBC Learning Centre (3rd Floor)
June 15, 2025 | 2 to 4:30 PM
30 Art Therapy Activities
While you wait for our next creative workshop, keep your mental health journey going with these 30 engaging and accessible art therapy activities. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, need a moment of clarity, or just want a fresh creative outlet, these exercises were thoughtfully curated to support you. Each activity is designed to help you reflect, recharge, and reconnect with yourself, using a variety of expressive creative mediums that can be explored in just 30 to 60 minutes. Browse through the activities and start with one that speaks to you. You just might be surprised by what you discover.
If you're looking for more art therapy activities, check out the free online version of 100 Essential Art Therapy Exercises by Leah Guzman.
July 13, 2025 | 2 to 4:30 PM
This two-part workshop invites you to explore the power of creativity as a tool for personal and collective transformation. In the first half, you’ll engage in playful, hands-on activities that reveal how creative self-expression can enhance mental health, support emotional regulation, and activate your brain’s natural capacity for resilience and insight. In the second half, we’ll turn our attention to loneliness and our deep human need for meaningful connection. Through guided group discussions and creative exercises, we’ll explore how we can actively build and strengthen connection in every aspect of our lives. Using creativity, we’ll explore new ways to support each other and build a stronger, more connected community.
Halifax Central Library | BMO Community Room (2nd Floor)
The Magic of Creativity Workshop
Workshop Spotlight: Loneliness & Connection
Free Mental Health Course
Self-Guided Mental Health Course
This self-guided course was created to help you manage depression, anxiety, worry, and stress using practical, evidence-based tools. By setting aside just 30 minutes a day for 3 weeks, you'll explore proven techniques drawn from Metacognitive Therapy (MCT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), and Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) over 7 short lessons. As you move through each section of the course, you'll learn how to shift your relationship with your thoughts and emotions, build healthier coping strategies, better manage your worry and ruminations, and lay the foundation for lasting, positive change.
August 10, 2025 | 2 to 4:30 PM
This two-part workshop offers a space to reconnect with yourself and your community through the power of creative expression. In the first half, you’ll dive into a series of imaginative activities designed to quiet the inner critic, awaken curiosity, and open yourself to new pathways for emotional awareness and mental clarity. No artistic skill is needed, just a willingness to explore. In the second half, we’ll explore the theme of racism and discrimination, using creativity as a lens to examine personal experiences, challenge harmful narratives, and imagine more inclusive and equitable communities. Through collective reflection and expression, we’ll discover that creativity can become a catalyst for empathy, dialogue, and change.
Halifax Central Library | BMO Community Room (2nd Floor)
The Magic of Creativity Workshop
Worskhop Spotlight: Racism & Discrimination
Books That Heal & Inspire
As a special feature, we’re sharing two powerful and insightful books with you that can support your mental health and unlock your creative potential.
The Creativity Cure by Carrie and Alton Barron explores how regularly engaging in creative activities over a 7-week program can effectively rewire your brain, reduce emotional overwhelm, and restore a deep sense of balance, calm, and vitality to your life.
The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron is a transformative, widely celebrated guide that helps you break through creative blocks and cultivate a daily practice of self-reflection and artistic expression, while offering inspiring insights to nurture your creativity and overall well-being.
We love working with people who share our vision. If you’d like to get involved and help us grow this project, send us a message.
Overcoming Depression, Anxiety, and Worry with Mindfulness-Based Practices
We created this self-guided course to support you in managing depression, anxiety, worry, and stress using a range of practical, evidence-based tools. Drawing from approaches such as Metacognitive Therapy (MCT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), and Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), the course offers a structured approach to improving your mental health and overall quality of life. In just 30 minutes a day over 3 weeks, you’ll learn how to reshape your relationship with thoughts and emotions, develop healthier coping strategies, and create lasting change.
SELF-GUIDED COURSE
We’re always on the lookout for partners to help us grow this project and reach even more people. If you’d like to get involved, send us a message.
“Art can permeate the very deepest part of us where no words exist.”
– Eileen Miller –
We believe art and creative self-expression have the power to transform your life and your community. But don’t take our word for it, let us show you instead. Our classes create a welcoming space for you to explore your rich inner world. Each class is divided into two parts. In the first part, we'll flex our creative muscles as a group with some fun and playful activities. It's a chance to explore and discover new dimensions of yourself as you tap into your hidden reservoirs of imagination and creativity.
In the second part, we'll focus on a central theme, and together, embark on a guided exercise that will take you down unexpected paths of exploration. Drawing, sculpting, collaging, and painting are just some of the expressive art forms we’ll be using. This is where the seeds planted during the initial creative burst begin to germinate. Through thought-provoking prompts, mindfulness exercises, and group sharing, you'll weave connections between your creative expressions and personal experiences.
Since each artistic work is unique and every experience authentic, our classes blend personal expression with meaningful self-discovery, creating an intimate and truly one-of-a-kind experience. And don’t worry, classes are open to everyone regardless of your creative or artistic ability. If you can draw a squiggle, you can begin to reconnect with your inner wisdom and transform your life.
CREATIVE EXPRESSION AND WELLNESS
We believe everyone should have access to free mental health support that’s led by and for the community. By coming together, we can create low-cost, accessible, and sustainable ways to nurture our mental well-being. That’s why we’re building a community wellness space where creativity and art-making become a catalyst for deeper connection and healing. We can’t wait to learn, grow, and thrive alongside you.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
I can't stress enough how much working with Ethan has changed my mental outlook for the better. Art therapy has this incredible ability to help you pour out your emotions in a safe and creative way. I'll never forget this one exercise he had me do with my husband. We had to team up and paint our idea of a perfect day. The finished piece was nothing short of beautiful! Ethan's guidance has been a lifeline for me during some tough times. I can't thank him enough for being that support when I really needed it.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
- Roselyn G. -
“Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.”
– Thomas Merton –
CONTACT US
Start exploring the profound benefits of creative self-expression and begin your journey towards greater mental and emotional wellbeing.
Whether you're seeking relief from stress, a deeper understanding of yourself or are simply looking to connect with others from your community, let us show you how creativity mends.
We’re also always on the lookout for partners to help us grow this project and reach even more people. If you’d like to get involved, send us a message.