CreativiTEA: a new workshop series coming in 2026
What could be better than art-making, self discovery and tea?
The CreativiTEA for Grown Ups workshop series is an idea that has been brewing—no pun intended—since early 2024. It got a little sidetracked because of my hospital stay and lengthy rehab, so I’m excited that we’re launching it at long last.
What is a CreativiTEA?
CreativiTEA is an in-person workshop series for grown-ups that combines fun, insightful art-making activities with community-building through creativity.
Each two-hour CreativiTEA session includes:
A guided creative activity with all art supplies provided
Socializing and discussion with tea and delicious goodies—also provided
The sessions will be facilitated by me in my role as an artist and creativity coach, and Stefan, who will be providing his skills as a generative coach and therapist.
What makes CreativiTEA different?
With the rise of creative activities like colouring books for adults and paint-and-sip nights, there’s definitely a recognition that grown-ups are craving the opportunity to play with art supplies just as much as kids.
But what if, in playing with those art supplies, you could solve a grown-up problem that’s been tickling the back of your brain? What if, through creativity, you could discover something new about yourself?
At Tilted Windmills, we’ve long believed that creativity isn’t just fun; it can be incredibly insightful. I’ve seen this time and again in creativity coaching, where clients will tell themselves the same stories over and over again that keep them stuck, but ask them to tackle the question through an art-making exercise, and they’ll uncover something entirely new.
We’ll be kicking off 2026 with our January workshop, Burnout to Balance.
We know that folks want to start the year off right by getting all their ducks in a row, but sometimes it just feels like you’re slogging along like a bogged-down hippo or jumping from priority to priority like an overcaffeinated jackrabbit.
In this workshop, we guide you through a series of fun art-making exercises designed to gain insight into different aspects of your life — work, health, connection and aspirations — and unlock what’s needed to improve and find a better balance between them to create a metaphorical Animal Island Utopia.
Wait! I can only draw stick figures. Will I still benefit from these workshops?
100% yes! Leave any concerns you might have about your perceived “artistic ability” or level of “talent” at the door.
Our workshops are intended to be a safe and supportive environment for anyone who wants to explore art-making and dive headfirst into the world of creativity.
Where will the workshops be happening?
When you think of a “real artist studio,” what do you think of? Maybe you imagine a place with easels, drawing tables and art supplies everywhere, with little creative touches and inspiring bits and bobs all over the walls.
Well, such a place does exist, and it’s the fine art school, Atelier Artista, on the 4th floor of the community arts hub, cSPACE Marda Loop (1721 29th Ave SW).
It’s one of my favourite spots in the city, and where I’ve taken painting classes for the past couple years, so I can’t think of a better environment to get all of our creative juices flowing.
The school’s founder and my painting mentor, Brian “Bunny” Batista, is partnering with us to provide the perfect launchpad for our workshops. He’s also a bit of a tea aficionado, so I’m sure he’ll have some ideas to contribute on that front, too.
When is the first workshop?
We are currently finalizing the date of our January workshop and will be announcing it shortly!
In the meantime, we encourage you to follow the new creativitea.yyc on Instagram and creativitea-yyc.eventbrite.com on Eventbrite to be notified whenever new workshops drop.
Athena Cooper splits her time between being a fine art painter and a creativity coach with Tilted Windmills.