Nurturing creativity is an ongoing process and starts when the kids are little. A friend once said that there is nothing better for the planet than people getting together and being creative. She is so right!

Homes are designed with home offices, in law suites, laundry rooms, entertainment centers, nanny quarters etc……Until a Creativity Center is automatically added to that why not just take that formal dining room or extra bedroom and turn it into a Creativity Room?

Collage Art by Artist Victoria O’Neill

What to put in your Creativity Center? A large table or tables to work on, shelves for supplies, and a few lamps.  Add watercolors, acrylics, tempura paints, crayons, colored pencils, markers, brushes, glue sticks, white glue, scissors, tape, stapler, yarns, fabrics, LOTS of different kinds of papers, and whatever else you can think of.

The collage above was made with hearts cut from a catalog, a picture of one of my daughters, wings from dragonfly wrapping paper and various painted papers glued and sewed. (You can find a sewing machine at a thrift shop or yard sale and use it to sew paper.)

It’s nice to have a sink nearby if possible. The one in the closest bathroom is fine for now.

Don’t throw away ribbon, lace, trim, boxes, cans, other interesting containers, beads, jewelry parts, greeting cards, catalogs, empty spools  or old books to cut up. Missing  parts to toys and appliances become found art objects with a bit of imagination. A series of things is always inspiring, such as three oatmeal box lids could become the foundation for a trio of little framed paintings to hang on the wall.

Peace and quiet is conducive to creativity, but good music can be inspiring too.  Instrumental seems to be the most stimulating because the words don’t get in the way. Unfamiliar styles of music can open new pathways like chanting from various cultures, Persian music, African drums etc.

Your Creativity Center will be alive and organic and take on it’s own spirit. The materials will change too, according to he things you find and your family’s  interests.

One of the side effects of having this kind of space is that creativity will seep into other areas of your life. We need creativity and love to solve all the challenges we face, individually and collectively.

You may also enjoy: Top 10 Reasons you should Buy Contemporary Art | Twitspiration: Tara from Feels Like Home (Harrisburg) | HiP for a Challenge – Home |