Art & Soul appreciates all of our teachers who have chosen to experience the rich wonder of holding space for others.  Our teachers at Art & Soul have a gracious spirit, are open to possibility, and dedicated to encouraging and holding space for those who enter our doors. Whether they may be beginning their adventure with art; returning to artistic desires they had to set aside for a while; working artists exploring the path of non-judgment and authenticity. Whatever the skill level, whatever the hopes and dreams, our teachers serve as a wise guide  ..read more

Join Kelly at one of her upcoming writing workshops. Find opportunities here ..read more

..read more

In celebration of National Poetry Month: Dogwood Winter by Beth A. Richardson Dogwood Winter   In the spring  when the warm weather takes a step back  and the cold returns    the old ones say  it's redbud winter  it's pear tree winter  it's blackerry winter    this year  dogwood winter has been  cool and lovely and long    the dogwood blooms began to open  the coolness stepped forward  and the blooms stayed and stayed and stayed    feasts for the eyes  for the heart    the dogwoods are dr ..read more

Celebrating Art & Soul Poet, Roberta Croteau Hope Is the Thing with Feathers   It’s love or madness—or both, I guess, That untethers the soul from hope to this mess. The lighter I grip, the higher I rise, I left you behind without saying goodbye.   Chasing the sun, with hope in my eyes, Like Icarus floating his wings through the skies, Our stories, I see, are not so far apart, He lost his wings, and I lost my heart.   But feathers and wax are no match for the sun, And my poor dreams all melted before we were done, Like a cello’s last note, a long, lonely hum, Mourning the ..read more

Name and any story behind how you got it… Lisa Paige Binder (named after Lena and Pearl which were family names, and after naming me Paige and my brother Mitchell, my mother wrote books and television movies under the name Judith Paige Mitchell. Birthday 11/11/1954 Your family… My mother was a writer and producer for Warner Bros and Aaron Spelling. My father was a prominent criminal attorney in Jackson, Mississippi who defended Wayne Williams in the Atlanta Child Murder case. Art and Soul Member since… 2005 A favorite Art & Soul memory? For years Nima told me I would find my “artistic voi ..read more

Hi, I’m Karyn with a y. That’s how I began introducing myself at Art & Soul when I was in classes with Karen with an e. My mother’s name was Kathryn, and she took out the th when she named me. She and my dad had tried for several years to have children and had finally decided to adopt. They had just gotten a call that there were twin baby girls ready for adoption when they discovered that my mom was pregnant. With me. Which means I would have twin older sisters if the timing hadn’t been so close. They turned down the twins. As it turned out, I was the first of four daughters for my parent ..read more

After a handful of days too warm for winter, we've been treated to freezing temperatures and mounds of snow. From my window, I’m watching a veil of smoke curl up from a neighbor’s chimney. In a slow drift, it crosses their snow-piled roof, then rises and thins and disappears into the frosty air. Time seems to have slowed. Nature is not in a hurry today.   On my back porch, potted plants are heaped with snow, their leaves and blooms wilted from this deep freeze. Except for one pink petunia who has done the unexpected. In her pot just outside my back door, she remains fresh-faced and brigh ..read more

This short film was inspired by the Banyan tree outside the dance studio window at The Hermitage, and the rich history of Banyans. https://vimeo.com/863761468 Inspired by the Banyan tree outside the dance studio window at The Hermitage Artist Retreat on Manasota Key, Florida. An exploration of filming, dancing, storytelling, and video editing. Music: Jim Perkins ..read more

  “I haven’t drawn since high school, and I want to see if I still can.”   “I don’t really write or journal, but I’d like to.”   “When I was young, I drew and painted, but I haven’t had time for that in years. I want to get back to it.”   “Do I even belong in a creative community? I mean, I’d like to try to make art, but I don’t consider myself an artist.”   Most people come to Art & Soul with a sense of curiosity. Maybe they hope to restart their art or to spark their flickering creative energy, or to dip into art and see where it might lead. Even the working art ..read more