The Imagination Studio: a colourful and vibrant art space ⋒ ✂︎ ♡ Art classes, camps + workshops ➕ an ART SHOP with magical art supplies, books, toys and experiments for kids!
We acknowledge that we, the imagination studio and all of its students, guests and visitors are on the Historic Treaty 18 also known as the Nottawasaga Purchase. This Treaty was signed on October 17, 1818. The Town of Blue Mountains sits on the historic homelands of the Petun and the Huron-Wendat Nations.
We acknowledge that the Anishanabe Nation is still present, resisting and engaging. In that, we are visitors/settlers on the land with a responsibility to respect and uphold the Dish with One Spoon Wampum in hopes of moving towards Guest hood.
We strive to understand our responsibility to the Two Row Wampum Belt Covenant. We aspire to respect the Land and the people that have lived on this land since time immemorial. We commit to continued learning and educational spaces that promotes and respects Indigenous and Canadian equity in political and lived realities
VISION
The Imagination Studio is a vibrant and beautiful art space for our community to enrich our experiences and understanding in the arts and learn some pretty awesome art skills. In the studio I host beautiful classes and workshops both on-site and off-site. Classes offer inspiring learning and rock-solid leadership within a culture of friendship. We often rock multi-age learning groups which is such a cool way to learn. Programming inspires students to tap into their creative potential, take risks, make mistakes and get messy. Whether it’s a class, camp or workshop and whether young or older than young, there is always a strong emphasis of appreciating our natural world with the rhythm-centric learning culture I guide at The Imagination Studio.
VALUES
I believe that we all thrive best within a culture of friendship. When allowed the opportunity to develop, express and explore our unique potential we can tap into our creativity and in within the natural world. Experiences at the studio help us develop creative thinking skills and end-to-end problem solving skills through exploration, discovery, practice and patience. Programs spark curiosity and ask you to rise and shine and meet your artistic potential. Art helps us connect to the world around us. It helps us appreciate and value nature, it helps us create culture, it helps us express and innovate ideas and it helps us build community and friendships. We know that imagination ignites passion. Cultivating a healthy relationship to our creativity is one of the key ingredients to living wholeheartedly. The studio is container for this creativity to thrive.
CULTURE
The Imagination Studio is a designated shame-free environment. I acknowledge that we all have beating hearts, different backgrounds, different triggers, different privileges and ways of understanding the world around us. I believe that children and adults have the right to feel seen, heard and valued without judgement. I also believe that we are responsible for the energy that we bring into the studio. The studio is a place where curiosity is encouraged, where boundaries are honoured and where magic happens. There is also a deep respect for the wisdom of the natural world ingrained in almost everything we do. Leadership is inspired, valued and nurtured not just by me, but also by anyone who makes art here. it’s fun to recognize that and inspire that in others.
THIS PLATFORM FOR ARTISTIC EXPRESSION IS COMMITTED TO BUILDING COMMUNITY THROUGH SERVICE.
ASHLEY GREEN (me) is the owner of The Imagination Studio. A child of the arts I fell in love with painting, drawing and creating at an early age. I am endlessly inspired by the imagination and creativity of children and ignite that childhood creativity in adults. I studied Studio Art at the University of Guelph and went on to teach kids of all ages across Canada in various subjects: science, history, art, language arts- and even once upon a time ago Grade 7 + 8 math (which was a far stretch from comfy). After a few years of living the artist life in Toronto I left the art scene there and anchored in what was some of the most meaningful work of my life. I have taught in over twenty-seven Indigenous communities spanning from British Columbia to Nunavut. I came back to The Blue Mountains as young mother after never really thinking I would live here again.
I saw a need for an art space where kids can create, explore and express themselves authentically with a more conscious kind of leadership. I wanted an art space where kids could step out of the small town vibe and learn about contemporary art and issues. A place where we could build our own brand of culture. I’m a hummingbird and love to pollinate good ideas wherever I go. In leadership, beauty is how I both see and express in the world. Teaching art, especially painting isn’t my job, it’s a way of life. I have always been and will always be an artist. I see that in kids. And it lights me up!
I really believe all people big + small truly want to be seen, heard and valued without judgement. I mean connection is so so so important. And I think it’s high time we as adults carve out that space for our kids. So I dreamed up The Imagination Studio and am committed to providing our community with beautiful classes, opportunities for friendships to blossom and grow. I nurture my inviting studio space for imaginations to flourish but more importantly I build relationships with my students that I hope inspires them to be authentic, see the world as a magical place and feel like what they do is important and matters. Agency is everything. I also hold space for kids to be free in nature because that’s also a really essential part of who I am and a gift I love to share.
I have written, illustrated and published three children's books: Lady Sky, The Emerald Lake and PARKS. The Imagination Studio first opened in October 2017 which feels like many moons ago but also kind of just like yesterday. Because more than one thing can be true at the same time.
XO Ashley
Untitled, underpainting. Oil on canvas paper. 2022. Copyright Ashley Green.
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