Creativity is the portal to elevating your consciousness and living a vibrant life
Open City Experiences offers innovative , eye-opening connections and in-person experiences to help inspire and grow the well-being of creatives in the Rome community and beyond.
Open City experiences is driven by elevating consciousness. When we do this on an individual level, like a ripple effect, this expands positive awareness and healing out to our loved ones, network, local community… and beyond. We focus on our creativity, helping people to unblock their artistic selves and share their message with the world.
Whether you are a blocked creative looking to get back to your practice, or a thriving artist who craves brainstorming and connection – or maybe you’re not sure where you are, but know something needs to change – our community is there to help you on your journey of growing your most extraordinary self.
While there is a plethora of online and virtual experiences available to us all – we believe that there is a deep value in connecting to a mentor or teacher in person, and to be part of a live community.
We invite you to join us today
Open City experiences is a hub for creative development in Rome – for all those seeking to expand their well-being through artistry
Our Story
A former New Yorker living in Rome since 2006, Open City experiences founder Claudia Palmira established a successful design and art studio soon after relocating to the Eternal City. Like many who relocate abroad, she found herself having to adapt to the local way of life – and the Roman way of life had many differences from her hometown.
But some things are hard to give up.
One of the things she missed about living in New York was the ability to take workshops and go on retreats at places like Omega, Caron, The Psychodrama Institute, the 92nd Street Y, Open Center, Integral Yoga and dozens of others. She trained as an experiential therapist and art therapist, so that she could pass this work on to others in her adopted hometown of Rome.
In 2011, she founded Rome Photography Workshop, which offers photography courses by professional photographers using Rome as the backdrop. From 2016-2018, her venture Restart Retreats held three exceptional therapeutic retreats in Tuscany. She has participated in the ICAAD Conference in London and Rome since 2017, and leads frequent workshops for students studying abroad. Finally, in 2018, Open City experiences was born. In 2020, her online art classes for all ages helped many during that isolating time of the pandemic. Following that, the Group for Creatives formed, and is now continuing in 2024.
Claudia continues to run her design and art studio, and founded a line of luxury silk scarves.
Open City experiences welcomes seekers to our ever-expanding community. We are those who want to meet others and journey into new territory within themselves.
What we do
Open City experiences provides courses and workshops on the following subjects. We welcome local experts, leaders and visiting ones, too!
What You Said
Feedback about our workshops
Claudia is an amazing facilitator, I’ve joined her in 3 retreats and now this workshop for Open City; she never ceases to amaze me – she has a gift for reaching and releasing the inner authentic voice of her students.”
–Carolina
Stepped out of my man ego boundaries and got more clear and open”
-H
Here are courses hosted by Open City where you can interact with creatives, engage in activities that can help you in your creative journey.
First to know
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Thank you! We’re so happy to have you 🙏🏻
Today’s workshop was wonderful- I had no idea what to expect but it was grounding and provoked some insights this afternoon.”
–KK
Claudia is a wonderful teacher, very generous in sharing her skills”
-Claire
I love working with you and seeing what comes out. You are very good at this.”–S
Claudia holds a safe space for a loving and compassionate group and individual experience.”–S.
A great experience! I would recommend it to anybody.”
-Desiree
Very Interesting”
-E.
Thank you for holding such an important space!!!”
–T
As of March 2020, this series has been postponed until we are free to gather.
Open City presents our “Art on Sundays”. Artist Kelly Medford leads the way starting in March for a 3-part series on Drawing. Join us for the ones you choose, or come for all.
March 22 | Understanding Drawing
March 29 | Deeper with Drawing
April 5 | Drawing with Flair
Drawing starts from simplicity: pencil and paper. Nearly everyone draws – whether it’s doodles or sketches, scribbles or portraits. It’s one of the most basic forms of communication.
These sessions are a chance to work in an artist’s studio to play with line – seeing, formulating and interpreting. We explore different kinds of marks and styles, from contouring to fast burn sketches and more.
There are plentiful benefits of drawing such as improved memory, stress, creativity, communication, and a plethora of many other great benefits to the mind and body. In this series of workshops, topics touch upon many areas of drawings such as what drawing even is and interpretation, drawing in between spaces, and the understanding of different kinds of mark making. When you have a better understanding of drawing and a understanding it, it will then guide you to looking at things with a various point of views than just one.
Workshops are priced at 50 Euros each with discounts available for students and Free Exchange members. Purchase the whole series for 120 Euros. Each participant receives an artist kit with artist-grade materials at a terrific wholesale price of 20 Euros.
Such a beautiful & transformative therapeutic art session yesterday led by Claudia Palmira“
–S.
Being creative is more than just something for artists and designers. It is a necessity for us all – and it is something we all have inside us to do. In this series of virtual experiences, Claudia Palmira provides a space for you to express yourself in an open, creative format. Held weekly, these are a way to get in touch with yourself, add some playfulness to your day, and do some healing.
This is an outlet to discover your infinite world within – one that is not bound by limitations or restrictions imposed on the outside. Let us meet and dive into this space, where you will find relief and perhaps even some joy. Using art therapy and experiential techniques, these experiences are aimed at providing a gentle alternative to your sheltered hours.
No previous artistic experience is required.
Art Shifts Series – Dates
Each Saturday a new theme
It was wonderful fun inspiring and healing!!!!!!!”–E.
This collection of websites is made up of various sources of inspiration and prompts that may spark your next big idea. This list is in no particular order.
Reedsy Prompts is a great website for creatives. Catered especially for writers, they roll out a set of five prompts every week. If you subscribe to their newsletters you can get these prompts right in your inbox.
‘This is Colossal’ is a website that focuses on various disciples within the visual arts. They share the stories of many artists through articles with images of their work.
Inspiration Grid is an online magazine featuring design, typography, and many more.
Pinterest allows you to create many mood boards. You can also find others’ mood boards. For this reason, there is an endless spark of inspiration. By means of the website’s Pin feature you can effectively keep track of your ideas and boards.
It’s Nice That is a website that provides a platform of inspiration for creatives. You find a variety of articles on work of other artists as well as practical tips for surviving in the creative industry.
The Design files is a website that features creatives from various disciples and articles about their work. This site is perfect if you’d like to hear some of the real stories behind the creative work.
Canvas is a website offered by Saatchi Art that provides you with an insider’s view of the art world. The main content are articles featuring tips for artists and art news.
This website mainly focused on web design allows designers to submit their websites and have them reviewed. The panel of judges is composed of digital creatives, made up of designers, developers, and agencies from all over the world.
This is a website where you can browse countless images, save them and create collections. The pro feature allows you to save URLs as part of your collection.
This is a website dedicated to a variety of writers. You can start your own blog and publish publications. At the same time you have the chance to interact with a large diverse community of writers.
Official website of the Creative Boom magazine, on their website you can find news on the creative industry. They also offer resources, recommended tools and interviews. The website also has a podcast by the same name which shares additional insights on the creative industry.
This is a free novel writing software. It is a progressive web app that can be downloaded and used offline.
This website offers art prompts under several categories. The website also offers some articles regarding the life of an artist. You can also send your artwork to the creator of the website.
This website is a must-have for any writer. Finding the right adjectives can be a particularly difficult struggle. This website presents you with synonyms you can use in a straightforward manner.
Behance is a free platform offered by Adobe tailored to creatives. You can create projects and share them with the creative community. You can engage with others by following them and looking at their projects.
Want to share a resource we should add?
Thanks again! It was inspiring and energizing! Cleared up some of my mental/emotional ambivalence due to this pandemic.”
Thank you for yesterday’s workshop session. I really really tuned into my feelings. I loved making art. It was truly what I was craving. Some space for me to feel, be held and create something new.”
J.
Podcasts are such a wonderful tool – put the sound on and take a walk, sort your paintbrushes, take a drive, chop some vegetables…etc. These selections uplift any activity with humor and insight.
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- The Artsy Podcast This podcast is hosted by editors. They dive into the behind scenes of the art industry as well as art history.
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- Creative Boom Podcast This podcast is dedicated to the creative industry. There are interviews with some of the most renowned creators and their experiences.
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- Material Matters - With Grant Gibson Features interviews with designers, makers, artists and, architect discussing which techniques they use and why.
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- On Design Podcast Interviews with with leading figures of design, from entrepreneurs to curators and designers
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- It's Nice That Podcast Features artist interviews about how they built their careers.
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- Hey Creator with Jeff Goins This podcast talks about the creative world as well as practical ways in which creators can unblock their creativity.
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- Interviews by Brainard Carey This podcast features interviews with artists, architects, curators, critics, theorists and more.
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- The Art Marketing Podcast This podcast features tips and strategies on how to sell your artwork in the most effective way in the industry.
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- DGDG podcast This podcast helps with inspiration for creatives by means of interviews, round-table discussions, and instructional lessons
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- The Honest Designer Show The hosts have different creative backgrounds and they share their insights on how to make it in their fields. You can even submit your own question on their website!
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- Hurry Slowly This podcast is focused on how slowing down can boost productivity and creativity.
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- Being Freelance This is a podcast dedicated to freelancers discussing the process of going freelance and how to manage it.
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- Bounce The Block Hosted by photographer Emma Croman, this podcast deals with how to overcome hurdles when creating. There are new conversations every week with experts in the creative world on how we can create.
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- Design Thinking 101 This podcast focuses on helping listeners to learn about design thinking and strategy. The participants are practitioners who share their experiences, lessons, ideas and tips in various fields ranging but not limited to business, design, and healthcare.
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- Art for Your Ear This podcast features the artists’ behind-the-scenes lives.
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- Meet the Creatives Through this podcast, Rob Johnston, hopes to bridge the gap between entry-level creative professionals and the industry's best creatives. The guests that are featured on the show work in various companies such as Disney, Facebook, Google, and Snapchat.
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- Clever Podcast Podcast hosted by Amy Devers she has honest conversations with the various creative forces in society.
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- Design Better A podcast by InVision (a digital product design platform) that delivers insights from the world’s most renowned creatives.
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- Art Curious Art Curious talks about the intrigue and the mysteries of art history.
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- Badass Creatives This podcast offers practical advice to creatives regarding business and marketing from makers and entrepreneurs.
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- Overshare Podcast The overshare podcast deals with the sensitive topics that aren’t often talked about in the creative industry.
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- Art is... This brainstorm focuses on collective brainstorming as a way to boost their own creativity.
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- Creativity Pioneers by Moleskine Foundation Each episode starts with a selection of 3 words chosen by the speaker with the aim to create a new perspective and unconventional ideas to amplify creativity.
Want to share a resource we should add?
Positive experience overall”
-L.
Kickstart your creativity with this list of carefully selected books by our team! The topics range from building your artistic career and unblocking your creative inspiration.
CREATIVITY 101 (Self-Help Books)
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- Art and Fear by David Bayles & Ted Orland This is about the way art gets made, the reasons it often doesn’t get made and the nature of the difficulties that cause so many artists to give up along the way along the way.
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- The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron In this work the author highlights the subject of creativity. Julia Cameron dives deep into ways in which one can gain confidence as an artist and how to transform your ideas into tangible goals.
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- Show Your Work by Austin Kleon This book does a great job at sharing the the creative process. It also tackles techniques you can use to know your audience and make sure that your content suits them.
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- The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp This self-improvement book helps one to make being creative not just a process but a subconscious habit.
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- Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert In her book Gilbert dives into how creatives can make use of their creative intellect in this mostly left-brained world.
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- The War of Art by Steven Pressfield This book describes how to do creative work as well as how to overcome common distractions.
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- Steal Like An Artist by Austin Kleon In this book, Austin Kleon dives into ways in which we can use what’s already been created to find our own unique sense of style.
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- The Originals by Adam Grant This book discusses what it really means to be creative and how qualities such as resilience and critical thinking can be used to create something original.
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- Creative Confidence by Tom Kelley & David Kelley This book is perfect for anyone who is looking to improve their creative way of thinking.
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- How to Get Ideas by Jack Foster He creates a five-step model for creativity.
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- The Little Spark – 30 Ways to Ignite Your Creativity by Carrie Bloomston This book talks about how you can find a creative spark in your life.
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- Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi In this book, Csikszentmihalyi, considers how to live a happier life and how to find the right Flow.
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- How to Be a Graphic Designer Without Losing Your Soul by Adrian Shaughnessy Addresses the dilemma that many designers have about how to do what they love as a job without it becoming a mechanical routine.
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- Daily Rituals by Mason Currey A collection of rituals that many creatives and other influential figures would do.
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- Oh, to Be a Painter! by Virginia Woolf In a collection of essays and reviews Virginia Woolf explores the relationship between artist and society.
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- Art as Therapy by Alain de Botton and John Armstrong This book explores a new way of looking at art for therapeutic purposes.
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- Artists Prosper by Christy Strauch This book discusses how we can overcome legitimate fears creatives may have when sharing work. It also offers techniques creatives can use to calm those fears and be able to freely share your work with the world.
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- Passion, Plan, Profit by Christy Strauch In this book, Christy Strouch offers advice on how to run your business as a creative. It also shares details on how to plan for a business, have a clear objective, and execute your plan successfully.
ARTIST LIVES
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- Me by Elton John In his autobiography Elton John recounts his journey to fame along with the most memorable moments in his extraordinary life.
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- The Letters of Van Gogh A candid collection of letters written by Van Gogh himself accompanied by biographical explanations on the events mentioned in the letters.
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- Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Raike In this book Raine Marie reflects on the process of being a writer.
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- Dix portraits by Gertrude Stein This book features portraits featuring some renowned artists such as Pablo Picasso along with small anecdotes about them. It also includes a few sketches from other artists themselves.
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- Fierce Poise: Helen Frankenthaler and 1950s New York - Alexander Nemerov This is an artist biography about Helen Frankethaler and the major milestones in her artistic career.
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- Frida Kahlo: The Last Interview and Other Conversations This book discusses Frida Khalo's life as an artist who even though shy at first became a woman in control of her own image.
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- Mark Rothko: From the Inside Out by Christopher Rothko In this book Rothko presents essays critically analyzing paintings and the connections they can have between the viewer and the artist.
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- October Files by Branden W. Joseph This book is a collection of essays on the artist Robert Rauschenberg with a focus on the pivotal point in his career in the 1950s and 1960s.
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- Avedon: Something Personal by Norma Stevens This is a story told by Norma Stevens who was Avedon’s close business partner about his life as a photographer.
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- Lives of the Artists Yayoi Kusama by Robert Shore A narrative based on the life of nonagenarian Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama.
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- The Philsophy of Andy Warhol In this memoir Andy Warhol talks about everything imaginable ranging from work, money, success, as well as his artistic career.
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- Everything She Touched by Ruth Asawa Marilyn Chase discusses Ruth Asawa’s archives to create a complex picture of the artist.
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- Leonardo da Vinci by Walter Isaacson Walter Isaacson talks connects Leonardo da Vinci’s art and science in a stunning narrative.
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- The Diary of Frida Kahlo by Frida Kahlo This is Frida Kahlo’s journal where she shares her hopes, dreams, and most intimate moments.
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- A Choice of Weapons Gordon Parks This autobiography follows the life of Gordon Parks and the way he reached his professional career as a photographer.
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- Agatha Christie an Autobiography In her autobiography Agatha Christie gives readers a glimpse into her private life.
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- Ai Weiwei Speaks With hans Ulrich Obrist This is a series of interviews conducted by curator Hans Ulrich Obrist where Ai Weiwei talks about his career as an artist.
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- Duchamp by Calvin Tomkins This is a 560 page biography about French artist Marcel Duchamp. It follows an in-depth analysis of his work and career.
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- Decoded by Jay-Z In this book Jay-Z tells his story through lyrics and explanations of them in an engaging and compelling way.
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- Hanging Man The Arrest of Ai Weiwei by Barnaby Martin A biography about Chinese artist Ai Weiwei’s arrest.
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- Just Kids by Patti Smith This book features the relationship between Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethrope. A memoir by Patti Smith who dives into details previously unknown to the public.
Want to share a resource we should add?
Thank you very much for this great virtual retreat”–C
Weekly on Tuesdays at 3pm Central Europe Time | via Zoom
Please check the correct time in your area here: timeanddate.com/worldclock/meeting.html
Mama and son Claudia Palmira and Ludovico invite you to join us in a series of Art Breaks during the sheltering period. We will hold these casual sessions in English and Italian, while we lead simple creative activities to create a special kind of pause in the day. Parents and children are all welcome to participate.
Art can help us express and integrate our feelings – as well as provide a welcome relief to the screen, even if we are going to conduct these breaks virtually using Zoom.
Ogni martedì alle 15 Central Europe Time | tramite Zoom
Mamma e figlio Claudia Palmira e Ludovico vi invitiamo a fare una serie di “recreazioni d’arte” durante la quarantena – e le faremo in Italiano ed in Inglese! Vi guidiamo in una serie di attività creative per avere una pausa speciale durante il tuo giorno. Tutti sono benvenuti – genitori e figli.
L’arte ci aiuta ad esprimere ed integrare le nostre emozioni – ed é un’occasione da staccarsi dallo schermo – anche se utilizziamo Zoom per vederci.
JOIN IN | RAGGIUNGERCI
Tuesday 3pm CET | Martedì all 15
Please check the correct time in your area here: timeanddate.com/worldclock/meeting.html
Meeting ID: 946 326 283
Dates for Art Breaks / Le date
Please check the correct time in your area here: timeanddate.com/worldclock/meeting.html
Internationally exhibited artist and designer Claudia Palmira is certified in experiential and art therapy. Based in Rome, Italy since 2006, Claudia created her eponymous art and design studio in 1997, soon after graduating Mount Holyoke College (MA). She is author of the forthcoming book Micro Daily Practice (CPB 2024).
She founded Open City experiences, following the success of her initiative, Restart Retreats, the first English psychodramatic retreat in Italy. Certified by the College of Creative Arts Therapy, Claudia receives ongoing mentoring and training from Dr. Tian Dayton, a true leader in the trauma and recovery fields. She led groups on creativity, pleasure, meditation and recovery for a variety of organizations, including the renowned ICAAD conference and IES Study Abroad. Claudia is passionate about developing programs that support spiritual wellness through pleasure and creativity.
In 2021, Claudia launched Clù, a line of luxury silk scarves with her exclusive designs, which are featured at The Met Opera Shop. She is the author of Her artwork is exhibited regularly, and she continues to work with a variety of design clientele around the world through her Studio. A native New Yorker, Claudia is based in Rome, Italy where she and her husband, Mauro, are bringing up their son, Ludovico.
Open City experiences introduces virtual experiences during the sheltering periods across the world.
During this time, many people are rightly opting to stay home and self-isolate – or are mandated to do this by their local governments for public health. It’s a time when our routines have been upended, and our social contact restricted.
We aim to provide some pleasurable activities in the spirit of taking a break – but a thoughtful one. With many children doing homeschooling now, our Art Breaks offer a chance to do something creative with a parent or with us – as mama and son Claudia and Ludovico guide us through a bilingual creative session.
Moving deeper, and recommended for adults, are the Art Shifts. These are sessions designed to allow you to express and integrate your emotions through some light artistic methods.
The Living Well Series will also be moving to a Virtual Experience until we are able to meet in person.
Upcoming Virtual Open City experiences
Please check the correct time in your area here: timeanddate.com/worldclock/meeting.html
Need a soundtrack to your creative process? Enjoy these carefully selected Spotify playlists that can accompany you through your creative journey. Just click on the image to be redirected to the playlist
Did we miss anything? Drop us an email if there is something you would like to add.
Want to share a resource we should add?
Thank you for this incredible weekly experience and a supportive community.”–T
Thank You again for another beautiful 2 hours journey…I am really sooo grateful it is fun healing and adventurous and you are simply Divine 💜”
–SP
I enjoyed to be connected with many people who where very interesting. Because of your workshop, I’ve had insights that emerged clearly. You have lead the workshop brilliantly, and I didn’t think it was possible to have such depth working virtually!”
L.
Claudia is professional, sensitive and deeply in tune with the participants of the workshop a great guide!”
–M.
Si è bellissimo perché sento come se tutti i pezzi si stessero mettendo a posto”
– F.
