By Hanna Kaye Verhagen, RCC, CCC, MC, DVATI, BA

No, you don’t need any art experience or skill to attend a creative wellness workshop or open art studio session in Victoria, BC, whether in-person or online. These aren’t technical art classes. They’re focused on the process of art-making for self exploration, relaxation, stress relief, and fun.

Even if the last time you picked up art materials was in elementary school, all you need is openness to try something new and curiosity in order to benefit from the experience. The goal is not to create a polished piece. It’s to enjoy the process of creating.

However, the “but I’m not artistic” worry is very common. So let’s talk about it.

Why do I feel like I need to be artistic in order to join?

Most of us stopped making art regularly sometime in elementary or middle school. As we entered the self-conscious years of adolescence, a comment from a teacher or comparison with classmates may have influenced our relationship with art. It may have shaped our belief about who can and should continue to make art as we moved towards adulthood. These types of beliefs tends to stick around long after we’ve forgotten where they came from.

However, that belief doesn’t have to hold you back because creative wellness is about the process of creating, not producing a finished piece fit for the “gallery.” Curated prompts and guidance allow you to drop into the creative process in a way that helps you leave behind your inner critic. What matters is what happens while you’re creating. You might notice a sense of flow, a mindful moment, or your breath slowing down. You may find that your thoughts have somewhere to land, or you may notice space between you and whatever’s been weighing on you.

What can I expect from a beginner-friendly workshop in Victoria, BC?

You’ll be guided through simple art exercises, designed to help you drop into the creative process with less judgement. We use accessible materials like watercolour, chalk pastel, and collage, so there is nothing that requires you to have training or skill before attending the workshop. Sessions are kept small, so there’s space for everyone to be seen and supported.

Most sessions also include time for sharing and discussion, if you want it. Some people love talking through what came up for them. Others prefer to keep it to themselves. Both are completely welcome, and there’s no pressure to participate in any part of the session that doesn’t feel right for you.

There’s no critique, no “good job,” no comparing your work to anyone else’s, just a calm, welcoming space to explore.

Does it still help if I “can’t draw”?

Yes. You don’t need technical skill for art-making to be enjoyable and therapeutic. Making something with your hands, even something messy or imperfect, gives your mind a break from overthinking. It’s a way of saying something you might not have words for yet. And doing it alongside other people, in a room that feels safe and unhurried, adds a unique layer of connection and community.

This is one of the ideas at the heart of art therapy as a field: the act of creating can access and process things that talking alone sometimes can’t reach. The workshops draw on that same understanding, and while they’re led by an art therapist, they aren’t art therapy sessions themselves. For those who think art therapy sounds like a better fit for what you’re looking for, you can read more about art therapy services here.

If that “I’m not creative” voice has been holding you back from art-making, now you know that it doesn’t have to.

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