According to the World Economic Forum, the biggest workforce shift between 2015 and 2020 is the increasing importance of creativity as a work skill.  That’s why The Dirty Easel is launching a new year-long program to help businesses embrace creativity: Creativity Course 2018. And if you sign up before March 31, 2018, your team will receive 50% off the cost of the course. That’s $2500 off for a team of 10.

Why is creativity important in business today?

The World Economic Forum evaluated the most important work skills that will be requested by 2020. Which work skill changes the most between 2015 and 2020? Creativity. In these five years creativity rises 7 positions to become the third most import job skill.  Furthermore, creativity is also closely related to the two most important work skills: complex problem solving, and critical thinking.

Fortunately, creativity is a skill that can be taught and learned. One of the biggest myths about creativity is that it is a gift that was only given to certain people. But the truth is, everyone is born with the ability to be creative and it is essential to cultivate that creativity. Our creative talents are diverse and our creative abilities differ, but it is in every human’s DNA to be creative.

Launch of Creativity Course 2018

To help organizations develop a culture of innovation and to use the next two years to be prepared for the work skills needed in 2020, The Dirty Easel is launching a new program in 2018 and has developed a 12-month course that teaches people to be creative as individuals and as part of a team. In this course creativity is cultivated through painting and other art forms and applied to creative problem solving at work.

Goals of the Creativity Course 2018:

• Building confidence in creative abilities across the team
• Understanding and applying the creative process at work
• Embracing failure as part of the process and as a stimulant for new ideas
• Growing collaborative creativity

How is the Creativity Course structured?

The creativity course starts with an initial assessment. After that, the team will get together once every quarter for a 2-hour workshop to develop their creativity skills step by step. In between those hands-on training sessions the team will deepen the learning experience through quick exercises and mini-assignments. The materials provided can be used as icebreakers in meetings and individually to step aside from a work problem and get a quick boost of creativity.

Special Offer

If you sign up for this course in the first quarter of 2018 you will be eligible to receive the discount of 50% off. Book before March 31, 2018, and you will be able to get the one-year course for your entire team of up to 10 people for only $2500. If you have a team of more than 10 people or you want to develop creativity for multiple teams or departments, give us a call to get your special quote today.

Call today to learn how the creativity course 2018 can change your team and get ready for 2020!

Creativity takes courage. Leaving the well established paths takes courage. But,  “the only unique contribution we make in this world will be born of creativity.”  (Brene Brown)

A full day women’s retreat with yoga, art, and life coaching

We are very excited to announce our new partnership with Jenny Remington coaching and Lucia Kissaroslaki, yoga.

When: June 5th, 2016, 9am-4pm

Where: GKX Martial Arts – 700 North Vista Ridge Boulevard #102, Cedar Park, TX 78613

Tickets: reconnectretreat.eventbrite.com

Price: $150 earlybird special (ends May 10) / $200 regular price

No experience required: come with an open mind and heart.

We look forward to supporting you at the Reconnect Retreat!

Frequently Asked Questions

• What should I wear?   We encourage all our guests to wear comfortable clothes. We’ll move between several activities, including two yoga sessions and want to ensure that you are comfortable. In addition, we will also be painting. You’ll have a smock, but in case you get really wild with paint, go ahead and wear something you wouldn’t mind getting paint on.
• What should I bring to the retreat?  If you have a yoga mat, please bring it. We will provide you with everything else you’ll need for a wonderful day.
• I’ve never done yoga or coaching or painting? Will I still enjoy this retreat?  Yes! In fact, we designed this retreat with a beginner in mind. No experience required.
• I am pregnant. Can I participate in the yoga? Yes, let us know and Lucia can make prenatal accommodations.
• Are there age requirements?  We welcome guests as young as 16, with either a) parent participation, or b) signed note from the parent in advance.
• Are men invited to this event? I think my husband/boyfriend would love this.  While we love the men in our lives, we created this event as a women-only retreat to give our guests a specific experience.
• What is your refund policy? We are all moms and we understand that things come up. That is why we will refund 50% of your ticket up to 48 hours in advance of the retreat. After that point, we will have purchased all the materials and not able to offer a refund. If you’d like to share your ticket with someone else, we will gladly transfer your registration to a friend at any point up to the start of the retreat.
• What if I can’t go at the last minute? Is my registration/ticket transferrable?  If you’d like to share your ticket with someone else, we will gladly transfer your registration to a friend at any point.

Jenny Remington is a professionally trained and certified coach who coaches clients through personal and professional change and discovery through her work at Jenny Remington Coaching.

Christiane Michaelis lives her life as a creative. Drawing on her inspiration from her experiences in music, theatre and teaching, today she is the owner of The Dirty Easel.

Lucia Kissaroslaski is one of North Austin’s most sought-after yoga teachers, known for her challenging classes and inspired approach to teaching yoga. Lucia is also a teacher and in investor at GKX Martial Arts.

Fine Arts Camps with the Dirty Easel at Arthouse Austin

The Dirty Easel Fine Arts Camp brings Art, Theater, and Music together. Children get to explore their creativity in many different areas. We play and learn indoors as well as outdoors in the beautiful and huge garden that belongs to Arthouse Austin.

We combine the arts because we want children to grow their creative potential. Children love art because it is a fun experience. And we prepare them for the creative thinking skills that are highly required in 21st century jobs.

Christiane Michaelis, the owner of The Dirty Easel and a certified Music and Theater teacher, will lead all camps.

Click here to find all the details about age and dates. 

Call (512) 553-6188 or email info@thedirtyeasel.com to save your spot.

We had several requests for a central and/ or East Austin painting location and we are thrilled to share our newest partner – Sagra.

Sagra, a casual, yet elegant Italian restaurant, is located in the historic center of Austin on East 11th Street. Executive Chef/Owner Gabriel Pellegrini has created a menu of new renditions of Old World classics that feature  pizzas, homemade mozzarella, house-cured meats and homemade pastas.  With a full Vegan & Gluten Free Menu available to ensure there is something for everyone!

Mark you calendar for our first painting event with italian food, music, and just lots of italian spirit at Sagra, January 29th, 7 p.m.

Are you ready to explore your creative side and use it for greater fulfillment and happiness?

Do you enjoy being creative but have trouble finding the time to do it?

Then this is for you!

We are very excited to start our first creative peer group in December. Once a month, you’ll get together with the same group to boost your creativity through painting. Bring your friends, make new friends – the support of this small “tribe” will make all the difference.

Exploring your creativity through painting has been proven to increase focus, clarity, and joy. Painting is a healthy way to relax. Being creative is an investment in your well-being. You build confidence and experience to break through limiting beliefs. Absolutely no previous painting experience is required.

Make a commitment to do something for yourself, once a month.

Every month we’ll have a different theme. Each meeting, we’ll approach creativity in a different way to stimulate your inspiration. Check below to find the topics from December through March.

We want this commitment you make to yourself be a no-brainer, making it easy and affordable for you. So we’re offering all 4 events for the very inexpensive price of just $80. That is only $20 per class. And we will provide all the materials needed – paint, canvases for each meeting, and all of the inspiration you need.

Try out this formula with us:

creativity = well-being x fun²

When: Every 2nd Wednesday of each month – December, January, February, & March

Where: BB Rover’s, 12636 Research Blvd B101, Austin, TX 78759

Price:  Only $80 for all 4 events

Sign up here to reserve your spot now!

Event Schedule:

December 9th: De-clutter December

For 90% of us December is the most stressful month of the year. Everybody seems busy and in a hurry to get things done before the holidays. Take a moment to step out of the rush and reboot your brain. These 2 hours allow you to shift from gift and to do lists to a calm and focused mind. Let brush strokes and colors ground you. When you finish your painting you will walk out feeling relaxed and centered.

January 13th: Drop resolutions – Paint your vision

92% of all New Years resolutions fail. Already by mid-January half the people start slacking on their new diet or start dropping out of the gym. That leaves feelings of guilt and failure – not a good way to start the new year. Let’s flip this around. Instead of creating rules for yourself let’s play with color to find a vision that empowers you. Find a landscape where you can thrive.

February 10th: Friendship

Only a few days before Valentine’s Day we’ll get together to paint with each other.

Creative interaction is dynamic and fun. In a creative community you will get inspired by the person next to you. Spread your ideas and join a stream of creativity that is larger than your own canvas.

March 9th: The Rite of Spring

Spring is the time of renewal and a fresh start. Celebrate the burst of energy that we see happening in nature. Let your vitality flow onto the canvas.  Music will play a big part in this powerful and highly energetic class.

Family painting at Toybrary

How delighted would Grandma be if you presented her with a painting done by your child?

Join us for a parent/kid painting right after Thanksgiving at the Toybrary. You will have the opportunity to paint several canvases at once so you can get a few gifts off your list.

We bring all the supplies you need to create wonderful paintings for those on your gift list.

This is an event where both parents and kids participate. Children love to do things with their parents. They find it far more exciting than when mom or dad are just watching. So don’t forget to sign up yourself and your child.

Seats are limited so save your spot. Sign up now!

Price:

Registration per painter: $10 plus the cost of each canvas.

Small canvas (8×10) $10

Medium canvas (11x 14) $12

Big canvas (16×10) $15

When: Sunday, November 29th, 4pm.

Where: Toybrary at Rockwood Lane, Austin, TX  78757

September 12 at 5:30p.m.

We are very excited to announce that we’ll be holding a popup painting day at Central Market on Lamar. The price is only $5 per painter.

Paint outdoors in natural light.

Paint to the beat of live music.

Have a wine.

Paint to the buzz of your kids on the playground.

Paint the sunset against the sunset.

Color your Saturday Night…