Kelly Darke

What is Mindful Art Therapy?

Mindful Art Therapy is both a space for my private practice as well as a studio for art therapy, workshops, and classes.  A lot of people are in and out of the space; my kids are always here and they bring their friends. I also have clients that I see for art therapy either during the day or after work – just not on weekends.

During the summer I’m going to have some week long classes for kids and during the school year I’ll have school workshops when the kids have days off like teacher work days and things.

What was your experience in Build?

It was so much fun. I had not taken any business courses before. I was nervous to go on the first day but I found someone in my class that I had met at the Heidelberg festival where we had both been selling our artwork. That was Phil Simpson of The Smile Brand; he’s doing all kinds of stuff now. Everyone’s business ideas were completely different but everyone was really encouraging of each other. Some people brought in samples of what their business ideas would produce. A lot of us stayed in touch after the class which I love. It’s been really exciting to see the progress of the other members of the group.

 

 

“A lot of us stayed in touch after the class which I love. It’s been really exciting to see the progress of the other members of the group. “

What are your recent developments?

Right now for the summer I am accepting new private art therapy clients as well as private “art party” groups where you can bring your friends (kids and adults welcome) to just experiment with different art materials for one or two hours (call for details and available times). In the fall we will be starting an LGBT+ support group (details to be determined).

What is your long-term vision?

I want to work with other therapists and do combined therapy workshops. I’d also like to work with the school districts and fundraise so that kids can come here for events.