What is Creativity and why do we need it?

Up above are the most recent creations by my teen students.

I’m so proud of them, of the visible results of my philosophy of developing creativity through getting out of our comfort zones.

1. It’s amazing to see how non-cookie cutter and unique each of them are, discovering their own marks on the world.

2. To see that they’re in complete flow and full of inspiration when they’re not following templates and rote instructions

3. To witness their self confidence and trust in their intuition grow as they conquer each new challenge and see themselves succeed.

I get into arguments with parents a lot about the purpose of an art class. They expect to come in at the end of each session and witness masterpieces being created. Oftentimes, when they don't see beautiful creations they can put on a shelf or a wall, they leave to find a more 'traditional' teacher. Similarly, my corporate clients walk in virtually or in-person and are afraid from the get-to that their result won't be up to par. They judge themselves before, during and undoubtedly once the process is complete.

We're so focused on goals and outcomes as a society, that we had forgotten the purpose of creativity. What is creativity after all? The official Webster definition states that it's the: "the use of the imagination or original ideas, especially in the production of an artistic work".

When I witness identical projects created by the whole class, finished off professionally by the hand of the teacher so that the parents are satisfied, or the Paint Nite approach to follow the numbers, I cringe. This is the opposite of creativity. How will we think outside the box, or grow into innovators if we're taught to stay within the lines, to copy the teacher, to all draw the same cat?

Creativity is messy, it's meant to challenge us, to get us out of our comfort zones so that we struggle a little, conquer our fears, and ultimately learn to trust ourselves after every little success. Creativity is reaching deep within ourselves to find solutions, not relying on outsiders for answers, uncovering our vast imaginations, that are so unique to each and every one of us. Creativity is about bravery, about overcoming fears of failure & the impostor syndrome, about battling the judgment demons.

My role as an educator is to provide the safe space for these struggles to happen, to hold young and grown up creators accountable to themselves, to help them uncover their hidden potential.

The greatest recent testimonial I received after a virtual workshop for a Fortune 500 company was: 'I didn't even feel my team was there. I played, had fun, felt so relaxed.' My job done well.