Igniting the spark of creativity is one of the reasons artist and art educator Angie Ekern opened Untethered Heart Studio in August. Ekern’s classes for children and adults offers students the purpose of a unique experience.
Located in an historic downtown building, Northfield’s newest art studio is designed to inspire each and every person’s inner artist.
“Having my own studio is beyond my wildest dreams,” said Ekern. “This fall was pure magic. My dreams for this space came to life in ways I could not imagine. It was beautiful to witness the connections made through a shared experience of creating together.”
Ekern said during the classes she likes to focus on creative wellness, helping art flow into the lives of her students.
“We were born to create,” she said. “Each of us has a beautiful inner soul of inspiration waiting to awaken.
Soft pastels class
To access the studio, students climb the steep stairs to the second floor. The studio, which used to be offices and before that a private apartment, opens onto a large space anchored by the south facing sunroom with expansive views across Bridge Square, the Cannon River dam and the Fourth Street Bridge.
On a recent Wednesday morning, art students Amy Pfefferle, Megan Cummings-Krueger, Mary Steen and Jane Wiemerslage gathered first in a circle around Ekern to discuss the day’s objectives.
To set the mood for creating, Ekern first read a quote from Canadian artist and author Sabrina Ward Harrison, whose book “Spilling Open: The Art of Becoming Yourself” has afforded her personal inspiration, as well as some practical teaching tools.
Then, she showed them a couple of the clay mugs her sister had thrown on the wheel and fired that featured the studio name and the imprint of leaves and feathers. “Coffee or tea, anyone?” she asked.
Next, the students moved to sit around the big table where they would work for the next hour and a half. Ekern demonstrated how to blend the soft pastels to create the appropriate color palette. Then, taking another sheet of white paper, she began sketching the outline of a house finch, working with big shapes first and adding smaller details last.
The silence around the table was often interrupted by a short observation or a question, but most often with laughter.
“This really is laughter therapy,” quipped Cummings-Krueger.
“It’s been ages since I’ve had guided art instruction/inspiration and I’d forgotten how much fun it is,” said Steen. “It reawakened my creative curiosity from so far back — what a gift.”
Steen added that art creation was filled with “beautiful oops” was not only refreshing, but affirming.
“Mistakes are really just steps along the path of discovery. Art is for everyone,” said Steen.
Wiemerslage said she appreciated the immediate feedback Ekern gave to each student around the table. Pfefferle agreed and said creating art together was truly a bonding experience.
Not only are classes a happy, holistic experience, many of her students commented about Ekern’s positivity, thoughtfulness and her openness to meet students where they are and learn and grow from there.
“It’s amazing how art opens up your spirit with all its transferable wisdom,” said said Cummings-Krueger.
For any prospective students interested in signing up for classes, Ekern said the spring and summer schedules for classes would be available on her website this week.
“It is my passion to create meaningful arts experiences that nurture our innate desire to express and communicate and find meaning…awakening our inner soul of creativity,” said Ekern.
She added that she hopes Untethered Heart Studio will be a place where each artist is honored for their unique way of creating, where they feel held in a safe space, surrounded by beautiful materials and time to create at their own pace.
“A place where we feel connection to ourselves, each other, and the world around us…revealing the infinite possibilities we each carry.”
For any who want to awaken their inner creativity or explore their already woke talents, check out the classes at Untethered Heart Studio. After class, be sure to catch one of the spectacular sunsets reaching through the sunroom windows.
SEE MORE For registration and more information about spring and summer art classes for ages preschool to adult at Untethered Heart Studio, visit holdthisheart.com. da67a6ba-ea5d-4d9b-8995-f692a5d56cc9
Untether your creative soul “It is my passion to create meaningful art experiences that honor and nurture your unique creative journey. My classes are designed to hold space for courageous exploration. A messy and magical place to untether your creative soul.” — Angie Ekern cdd508f5-1c00-4c2c-aaf6-bbeea16da4e4
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