Free art camps and a new offering!
Hi sweet Kindling community!
It’s been a little while! I hope everyone is taking good care as we transition to fall and attempt to balance the chaos life is throwing at us. I continue to be wildly grateful for this active and thoughtful community of humans. ✨
I wanted to share a free art opportunity for kids as well as a little update on what I’ve been cooking up behind the scenes.
I will be leading the morning sessions for two No School Day Art Camps at Arts + Literature Laboratory on November 3rd and 4th. There are a few spots left, snag one quick! The afternoons will be led by Ellie Braun who just finished up her artist residency at Pinney Library!
These camps are made free through a generous grant to Arts + Lit Lab from the Marquette Neighborhood Association.
November 3rd here: Arts + Literature Laboratory - FREE Day Off Art Camp: Fiber Arts for Kids
November 4th here: Arts + Literature Laboratory - FREE Day Off Art Camp: Fiber Arts for Kids
Ok now for behind the scenes!
For the last year, I’ve focused primarily on arts exploration and creative celebrations for kids and families. (Which will continue! Please visit my CREATE page to see examples of what will continue in the new building, Fall 2026)
Here’s the update: I’m expanding creative process offerings to small organizations and leadership teams.
I love problem-solving, design thinking, and helping groups develop shared understanding and deeper relationships through creative process. I have about 20 years of experience working with organizations to make magic happen out of the (often limited) resources available.
I love using creative exercises with individuals or small teams to:
Establish (or reestablish) a shared vision and direction.
Create shared language and understanding for new projects or initiatives.
Figure out where to focus amidst complexity.
Trouble-shoot a repeating issue.
Strengthen relationships through creative play. (staff retreats)
Might you or someone you know be interested in this? Please reach out or connect us!
What are some examples you ask? Here are some groups I’ve worked with:
Supported the Goodman Community Center (as an employee) to bring their strategic plan to life through creative play and team building.
Led a fun art reflection with the lovely staff at Chrysalis to explore how they could create more collaborative program spaces.
Facilitated sessions with the board and leadership of the Eastmorland Community Center to create strategic messaging and a brochure for a capital campaign and huge new building initiative.
Guided Madison Death Studio to create focus and clarity on the direction of a highly unique concept and organizational model.
Feedback from those groups below! Thanks for reading! Hope to see you around soon!
❤️🔥
Carrie
“It was an absolute pleasure working with Carrie for our staff retreat. We met in advance to plan what we were looking for. We were able to share about our services and programming, and Carrie did a great job taking into account our wants and needs. Through the whole process, she was interested in supporting our staff and provided several creative ideas for us to choose from. When we wanted to make a small pivot closer to the day, Carrie was flexible and supportive in helping us cocreate a great staff day! Overall, Carrie took a lot of time and care to learn about our staff and the work we do. She was thoughtful in choosing an activity that matched our strategic goals and one that was a good mixture of meaningful and fun! ”
“Carrie was an incredible creative consultant, and her support was sincere and collaborative. She took a genuine interest in the topics I explore in the Madison Death Studio and helped me to distill the project into manageable concept areas. She asked pointed and meaningful questions that prompted broad strategic frameworks and then helped me zoom in to the details, and guided me through illustrating what my offerings would look, and what kinds of work would be required to execute them.
I am so grateful to have hired Carrie to be on this journey with me, as I transitioned my business towards sustainable growth. I cannot even express how helpful and efficient it has been to have her by my side during this process. Her support really is like a kind of magic, and I am so grateful to her for sharing her talents!”
