Today we’d like to introduce you to Maddie Johnson
Hi Maddie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Art has always been a part of my life and what I loved most about it was when I shared the experience with others. Art was something that helped me heal and supported me in my grief as a young adult. I graduated with my undergrad in Human Development and Family Studies, knowing I wanted to work with families in some capacity and do some form of art as well. Originally focused on the field of Child Life, I discovered Art Therapy and everything changed.
I began a Masters program in Marriage and Family Therapy as well as Art Therapy and got to experience working with a variety of individuals and families in a variety of settings including partial hospitalization programs, in-home and within outpatient clinics. Getting dual training as a marriage and family therapist and registered art therapist allowed me to work with so many people in conventional and unconventional ways. While I never saw myself as a traditional talk therapist, I definitely was nurtured on that path and focused on supporting adults and children struggling with anxiety, depression, attachment injuries and trauma. I became fully licensed in 2017 and then in 2021, I decided to move into private practice and opened Heart Space Therapy. Being on my own allowed me to expand my services and from there, I offered art therapy groups virtually and then eventually, in person.
In July 2023, I opened Heart Space, an art studio in South Minneapolis. Heart Space is a process forward studio which means we focus on the process of art making rather than on the product. It’s easy to play and be creative when we are kids but we lose that freedom and playfulness into adulthood. I wanted to create a space that was inviting, warm, safe and inspired people to be curious and creative. As an art therapist and licensed therapist, I wanted to create a collaborative community space that offered creative ways to heal, lean into self-growth and gave people the opportunity to be playful with art again. I am a big believer that art and the creative process is not just for the select few who identify as an “artist” but for everyone, therefore, I am on a mission to reconnect people to their creative side.
That brings us to today. Heart Space offers a variety of workshops. The Create series (Little Create, Kid Create, Teen Create and Adult Create) are open studio style workshops for parents and their children up to teenagers as well as for adults to explore art making with a variety of stations. In addition, Heart Space offers Mothering(+Me) a workshop for mothers to connect with themselves and their creativity. Heart Space partners with facilitators, educators and other therapists to offer groups/workshops and as well as host private events. Lastly, Heart Space is also mobile and has an art and nature women’s retreat in northern MN called, Embrace & Create for September 2024. We try to support the whole of the human, through mind-body healing and connection to the arts.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road, but, how many roads are actually smooth? The biggest challenge in growing Heart Space is continuing the momentum of attendance. Once people attend a workshop, they are hooked but there are many people who are reluctant to even give it a try. Creativity is kind of a buzz word at the moment, but to me, and Heart Space, creativity is essential to life. Like I said before, it’s easy to get into art making when you are a kid but we lose that comfort into adulthood. Creativity, or art in general at that point, gets seen as a luxury or only something for creative “artsy” people. That simply isn’t true and we are working hard to prove that everyone is an artist at heart. Creativity and art making abilities exist within everyone and like a muscle, if not used, it becomes stiff and difficult to engage with. Our hope is that at Heart Space, we create an environment where you can be comfortably uncomfortable as you engage with your creative side.
Another challenge that many art therapists are familiar with, is how unaware people are of the field of art therapy. There is a significant body of knowledge, theory and support behind this profession and its impact on treating mental health and improving overall wellness and yet, it is still something people are unaware exists! Something that people dont realize is that art therapy has such an impact on treating relational injuries, trauma, self-esteem as well as physical health. It is often a main form of therapy in high level treatment facilities and a form of therapy that is referred to when traditional talk therapy no longer works. Now, Heart Space’s workshops are not art therapy but they are art as therapy! Signing up for one does not mean you are signing up for therapy. It does, however, mean you are signing up for health and creative wellness.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Heart Space?
The things you should know about Heart Space is that it is a safe space that is warm and open to everyone. You do not have to identify as an artist to join a workshop. We encourage you to show up just as you are.
Heart Space came from my private practice called Heart Space Therapy, where I offer therapy services. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist as well as a Registered Art Therapist. I see a range of clients from children to adults. The population that I work with most often are clients struggling with low self-esteem, low confidence, anxiety, depression, relational injuries/attachment wounds and trauma. In my therapy practice, I focus on helping individuals/families feel comfortable as they engage in the process of understanding themselves and the world around them. I have the same approach when leading a workshop/group/event.
What sets Heart Space apart from other art studios, is that we are really trying to bring the fun and playfulness back into art making. Heart Space is a process forward studio which means we focus more on the process of art making than on the product of what is being made. It is in the process that we learn the most and truly have the most fun. We strongly believe in the power of arts to heal and connect communities therefore we offer a variety of ways in which people can engage alongside others and for themselves.
The branding for Heart Space is warm and calm which is hopefully what people feel when they come into the studio. I also want it to feel like somewhat of a blank canvas because I want everyone to feel as if they can engage at Heart Space. It’s not just a studio for the loud and colorful, it’s also a studio for the more subtle and quiet. All are welcome.
My biggest hope is that readers learn how important engaging with the arts is, and can be, for overall health and wellness. It should not be something we turn to only when tragedy strikes or when we are in distress. The arts are a preventative measure and a beautiful way to connect with yourself as well as others in the community.
I would love for the readers to learn about the amazing offerings coming out of Heart Space. Not all the workshops are led by myself, but by other passionate and trained individuals on a similar mission to bring the creative process to everyone. In the upcoming months we will have our monthly Create Workshops (open studio style workshops for littles, kids and adults). We will also have writing workshops, parenting groups, SoulCollage® workshops, watercolor classes, screen printing, open studio sessions and lastly my favorite workshop: Mothering(+Me). Heart Space is also co-hosting a women’s art and nature retreat in Deerwood, MN this September 2024 called Embrace & Create. Check out the website for more information!
How do you think about luck?
That’s an interesting question. I am lucky that my mom discovered the field of art therapy and encouraged me to pursue the career. I am very lucky to have such an amazing support system within my family. so that I can do what I am passionate about. I am very grateful for their encouragement and support.
I have been lucky to have people randomly encounter my business, whether it was walking past my studio or finding me through a reel on instagram. I was lucky enough to find a studio that felt right and worked for me at a certain point in my life. So, there is a little bit of luck, but also a lot of passion behind my business.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.heartspacetherapy.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heart.space.artstudio/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095493305984
