Welcome to the Studio: Our Creative Agreement ✨

At our Academy, art is about exploration, joyful curiosity, self-expression, and play. To keep our space calm, safe, inspiring, and fun for every single artist, here is our shared studio agreement. We’ll walk through all of these together on Day 1!

🎨 1. Caring for Our Materials & Being Mindful of Waste

  • A little goes a long way: It’s easy to squeeze out a giant mountain of paint, but art materials are precious! Take a small amount first—you can always come back for more whenever you need it.
  • Treating tools with kindness: Brushes prefer gentle swooshes rather than having their bristles squashed on the canvas or in a water jar. Markers and paint pens love having their caps snapped firmly shut so they don’t dry out.
  • Everything has a home: When tools and modeling instruments are returned to their designated spots, they’re clean and ready for the next creative spark.

🌿 2. Our Senses & Our Space: Finding Your Creative Calm

We know that everyone creates differently. Some artists thrive in quiet contemplation, while others need movement or sound. Here is how we balance both:

  • Background Beats & Sound Comfort:
    • We play gentle, low-volume background music to set a calm rhythm.
    • Not your vibe or feeling overstimulated? You are always welcome to bring your own noise-cancelling headphones or earmuffs, or let us know so we can lower the volume or switch off the music entirely.
  • Sensory Tools & Textures:
    • Fidget tools are always welcome at your table if they help your hands stay grounded.
    • Texture ick? If you don’t like the sensory feel of a material (like slimy glue, wet papier-mâché, or sticky clay), you never have to force it. Simply let me know—we have tactile alternatives, silicone brushes, tools, and barrier gloves so you can create comfortably.

🤸 3. Movement, Restrooms & Silent Signals

Art takes deep focus, and sometimes energy builds up in our bodies! You are never trapped in your chair. We use easy, silent signals so you don’t even have to interrupt the class:

  • The Courtyard Reset (Need to do 20 cartwheels?):
    • Hold up your hand showing 5 fingers (for a 5-minute movement break).
    • Once I catch your eye and flash 5 fingers back, you’re clear to head out into the courtyard to stretch, move, and reset before coming back to focus!
  • The Bathroom Cue:
    • Touch your nose.
    • When I see you and touch my nose back, you’re all set to head off to the bathroom.
  • (This makes sure I always know where everyone is safely, without you having to announce it to the whole room!)

🙋 4. Getting Attention & Studio Call-Outs

  • Getting my support: If you are stuck, need a technique tip, or want an opinion, simply put your hand straight up in the air so I can clearly see you across the tables. I’ll head straight over as soon as my hands are free!
  • The Listening Call ("Studio Check!"): When I need to switch tasks, demonstrate a technique, or give important steps, I will call out: "Studio check!" Artists then call back: "Inventory freeze!"
    • The Action: Everyone immediately lets go of brushes, clay, and pencils (your "inventory"), freezes hands, and looks my way!
  • Where should our energy be? The sweet spot is "Buzzy & Focused"—a happy, comfortable hum where everyone can chat with their tablemate without shouting, and where everyone can concentrate safely.

🦺 5. Physical Safety & Protective Habits

  • Aprons stay on: Keep clothes safe from rogue splatters! Aprons stay on from start to finish.
  • When Nitrile Gloves are Worn: We pop on kid-safe nitrile gloves whenever we use materials that stain skin or need a barrier (like vibrant alcohol inks or messy pigments).
  • Walking Feet Only: Drop sheets protect the floor, but they can be slippery! Always use walking feet inside the studio.
  • Eyes & Breathing: If we are sanding clay or mixing with powders, safety goggles and dust masks are part of an artisan's toolkit.

🏛️ 6. Respecting Our Hired Space & Furniture

We are proud guests in this beautiful creative space:

  • Clean hands on furniture & walls: Be super mindful that paint, pastel, and ink stay on your paper or canvas—not on walls, door frames, or chairs.
  • The "Oops!" Rule: Accidents happen! If an accidental splatter lands on the floor, wall, or furniture, let me know right away. There’s never any trouble; knowing immediately just means I can grab the right cleaner before it dries.
  • Sink Care: Never wash thick clay, plaster, or heavy materials straight down the drain. We scrape excess into the bins first so the venue’s plumbing stays happy.

💧 7. Water Bottles

  • Please bring a water bottle with a secure, spill-proof lid (pop-top or straw).
  • Keep water bottles tucked slightly away from your wet paint water jars and art trays so drinks don’t get knocked over (or accidentally dipped with a paintbrush!).

⏳ 8. The "Unfinished Art" Philosophy

  • Art doesn’t always fit into a single lesson timer!
  • Certain creations (like heavy clay, drying inks, or thick paints) need proper rest and curing time to stay strong. Taking pieces home mid-process or letting them dry safely on our drying racks until next time is all part of the artistic journey.

🧹 9. Clean-Up Teamwork & "The Magic Item" Game!

When it is pack-up time, we get the room sparkling together:

  • The Pack-Up Call ("Click, click..."): I will call out: "Click, click..." Artists call back: "...Clickety-clack!"
    • The Action: Caps snap firmly back onto paint pens, marker lids click shut, and lids twist onto water jars.
  • The Magic Item Game: Before pack-up begins, I secretly choose one specific "Magic Item" in the room (it could be a lone stray brush under a chair, a scattered lid, or wiping down a specific table spot).
  • Whoever cleans, finds, or safely returns the secret Magic Item gets a special mystery perk for the next session (like being the Studio DJ to pick our playlist vibe, or choosing a Studio Vinyl Sticker for their sketchbook)!

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