"I went to camp thinking I didn’t like art. Now, I know I love art!" — Axel, age 12
Welcome to the Beehive Community Studio!
We’re a new nonprofit community art studio for children, youth, and adults in Bellingham, Washington.Check out our CLASSES page to see what's happening now.
Castle Camp, Summer 2024: Each person created the interior of their own raw wood castle, from flooring and wallpaper to the last handmade detail.
Happening now...
We moved! Our new studio is upstairs at the BUF, Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship near downtown. (Not affiliated.)
Check out our Classes page to see what's happening now! We'll also be hosting classes by inspiring local teachers in January. Stay tuned...
And, click here to read about what you'll find in the hive as we grow.
Feel free to email here to find out more.
Ocean Camp, Summer 2024
the need for creativity
"The times are urgent, let us slow down." — Bayo Akomolafe
Bees make honey. Birds sing. Humans make art, music, and dance.
It's our thing.
Our creativity and imagination make us human.
In our current culture, we get a lot of praise for external productivity. Even in art education, the focus is often on linear progression towards technical and aesthetic goals.
There's nothing wrong with this, it's important and we do a lot of this in The Hive too, but if we collapse the definition of art down to technique, it limits our access to the fuller, healing potential of our creativity.
We recognize the intrinsic benefits of returning to creative whole brain functioning, both personally and collectively - for a healthier world.
Creative play is soothing and regulating to the nervous system and the self-connection that comes from a sustained practice is foundational to overall emotional well-being.Creative play is a state of open awareness and curious, alert receptivity that increases consciousness of:
• subtlety and nuance
• emotional perception
• metaphorical thinking
• symbol, image, story
Street Art Camp, Summer 2024
• gestalt understanding / intersectional systems thinking
• creative inspiration / insight
• flow states
• timelessness
• belonging
• a sense of wonder
• wholeness - all of life as a whole and ourselves embedded in it
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"We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them." — Albert Einstein
"If you think we're getting out of this ****show without art, you're mistaken!" — Brene Brown
Castle Camp, Summer 2024
We love to collaborate. If you're a like-minded nonprofit or community member, we'd love to hear from you!
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The Beehive Community Studio is licensed and insured as a Washington State nonprofit.
Bee Mandala watercolor by Francine Hart.