When I was in prison, it was my ability to have access to creative materials that saved my life over and over again. I was definitely struggling mentally, and if it was not for a pencil and a piece of paper I probably would not have gotten through a lot of those really hard times.
Later I became an art tutor in St. Cloud Prison. In that space I saw the magic of creative fellowship. People who would normally hate each other were able to sit down together and draw. Even when someone was dealing with really hard news, like a breakup or more time being added to their sentence, we could sit down and create together.
That experience showed me the power that creativity has to bring people together and help people get through difficult moments.
After getting sober and making a commitment to being a better person, I wanted to bring that same power of creativity into the community. That is how Art Shelf began. The idea was to create a zero cost wellness resource where people could come and make art without barriers.
A lot of people come to Art Shelf because they are curious about making art or they remember enjoying it earlier in their lives. When they get into the space and start creating, they realize how much their mind was hungry for creativity.
I have seen people find their sobriety community through Art Shelf. I have seen people come in during moments of severe mental distress and then return later in a much better place because they found community and connection through art.
We believe every human makes artifacts. We make things. We have hands and ambition. Everyone is an artist. Many people just stopped making art at some point.
Art Shelf exists so people can come in, use materials freely, experiment with ideas, and create alongside others. It becomes a place of celebration, creativity, and community connection.
Later I became an art tutor in St. Cloud Prison. In that space I saw the magic of creative fellowship. People who would normally hate each other were able to sit down together and draw. Even when someone was dealing with really hard news, like a breakup or more time being added to their sentence, we could sit down and create together.
That experience showed me the power that creativity has to bring people together and help people get through difficult moments.
After getting sober and making a commitment to being a better person, I wanted to bring that same power of creativity into the community. That is how Art Shelf began. The idea was to create a zero cost wellness resource where people could come and make art without barriers.
A lot of people come to Art Shelf because they are curious about making art or they remember enjoying it earlier in their lives. When they get into the space and start creating, they realize how much their mind was hungry for creativity.
I have seen people find their sobriety community through Art Shelf. I have seen people come in during moments of severe mental distress and then return later in a much better place because they found community and connection through art.
We believe every human makes artifacts. We make things. We have hands and ambition. Everyone is an artist. Many people just stopped making art at some point.
Art Shelf exists so people can come in, use materials freely, experiment with ideas, and create alongside others. It becomes a place of celebration, creativity, and community connection.