Inspire Community
1998 – I love art, helping others, and social work. That summer, I took a group of students on a European adventure that included Vienna, Austria, after which my life would never be the same. We went to Hundertwasser’s Art House and Museum. I was so inspired by his bright, colorful and creative buildings, it made me want to open my own Arts Center. One that focused on the power of the healing arts.
2003 – I convinced my husband (and music educator) to join me on my journey up the mountain to my dream. It quickly became our journey. With healing arts as the focus, we realized that if we could get kids into the arts at an early age, they would have the skills to cope with all the struggles and hardship that life brings us. Instead of turning to drugs, or harmful behavior, they could pick up a paint brush, or a guitar to heal and thrive. The focus soon became on what we called, “Preventive Arts Education”. Teaching the Arts to all of us who would need it later in life. To reach the students, we needed to meet them where they were at; in the schools. At that time, in the late 90s and early 2000s, school support and funding for the Arts had all but disappeared in California’s school system. What had been extremely valuable and life changing experiences for both of us at an early age in school, was not available to most students anymore. We started up the mountain by offering affordable art and music classes to local schools. The response was overwhelming. Parents knew the value of the Arts, and their kids loved it! Art & Soul quickly started serving over 40 schools in the San Francsico Bay Area.
2005 – Our first child, Ella B’Ann is born (*spoiler alert, she will later become a music mentor with Art & Soul)
2008 – Our second child, Micah Cole is born. *baseball is his thing 🙂
2013 – We opened our first brick and mortar school to serve students of all ages throughout our community. This space included an art room, two group rooms and three private music studios.
2016 – Dance was added to our Arts programming as we added a 2nd location. Between our studios and the schools we continued to serve, our mentors helped hundreds of students every month to improve confidence, hard work, determination, self worth, success and so many of life’s other necessary skills; all wrapped up and presented in fun, engaging, and enriching art, music and dance classes.
2020 – Covid. Oh crap! Like most of you, the world changed overnight. It was devastating. However, something amazing also happened along the way. As we moved online and outside, families realized more than ever the need for activity and engagement and the social aspect that our programs provided. We began to flourish as we all adapted to our new reality.
2022 – Our dream of purchasing our very own building to create a lasting Arts School became a reality. Our new home includes an art room, two dance floors, three group music rooms and eight private music studios with plenty of room to grow! We even have an outdoor lobby where you can relax on a couch and watch your children on the big screen TV.
We love hearing all your personal stories about how the arts have impacted your life. Between living through the fires here in Sonoma County, CA in 2017 and thru the Covid pandemic, our families and mentors have lived our mission statement: “We believe that resilient, creative individuals can overcome any challenge. We teach Art, Music and Dance. Come create with us.” Thank you Art & Soul Families for being a part of our story!
