Creative Explorations with Meg and Jess: Make Yourself a Monster!

What is Creative Explorations?

Creative Explorations is a space where art-making is a way to care for ourselves, and one another. We offer togetherness as a creative act.

Each session offers a variety of invitations, designed to explore materials, themes and/or emotions. Although we explore through art and making, the focus is on exploration and expression, with no particular expectations in mind. Upcoming sessions are standalone; you’re welcome to join us for one or all three.

All materials provided, but you are welcome to bring your own. Invitations will be shared verbally, and in writing.

This is a masked event. KN95s or above are required.

Who is it for?

Anyone interested in exploring the ways creativity can build connections to ourselves and each other. No art experience required! (Artists welcome.)

Who are Meg and Jess?

Creative Explorations is a new, experimental collaboration between Meg Max and Jess.

Meg is a neurodivergent, multi-disciplinary artist and former healthcare worker who has been facilitating in creative spaces for over two decades. Jess is a neurodivergent musician, artist and mental health professional. Both are white, queer and graduates of the Therapeutic Arts Practitioner Program through the CIIAT.

This session is called: Make Yourself a Monster!

If your happiness had hands, what would they hold? Does your anger have wings? Each participant will explore an emotion of their choice, reimagining it as a monster, and bring it to life through writing and making. 

Agenda

Doors open at 12:00. We will get started at 12:10 and wrap up by 2:00.

Community Guidelines

• There is no wrong way to create
• Invitations are open to interpretation
• Exploration and expression are valuable. Make ugly art
• Feelings might come up, but they don’t have to
• What happens here stays here (Privacy, please)
• Take care of each other. Take care of yourself.
• Please keep reflections on your own creations and experiences.

Sliding Scale Ticket Explanation:

Money shouldn't be a barrier to connection, creativity, or joy. Sliding scale pricing lets you choose the price that feels right based on your current financial reality. When those who have more pay more, it helps to keep our programming open to everyone, no matter the income. We trust you to assess your own situation with honest and care. There is no vetting process!

You might choose a lower-cost / free ticket if you:

• Receive public assistance (disability, unemployment, etc.)
• Financial support dependents (children, elders, others)
• Don't have significant savings or safety nets
• Do survival work (gig work, informal, precarious labour)
• Have high expenses (medical, educational, etc.)

You might choose a higher-cost ticket if you:

• Have access to stable income, savings, or investments
• Own property or have inherited wealth
• Travel for leisure, eat out or order in regularly, invest in hobbies
• Feel financially secure enough to offer mutual support to others

Upcoming sessions

October 20: Re-hinging Yourself

Because we are all feeling a little unhinged these days, it's important to have a soft place to land. With small hinged tins as our base, we will use a variety of found, foraged and recycled materials to create pocket-sized reminders of what we need to feel anchored in the moment.

Have questions about The Grove? !

Also check out other Arts events in Ottawa, Music events in Ottawa, Health & Wellness events in Ottawa.