Today we’d like to introduce you to Denon Schaefer.
Hi Denon, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Musecraft Studios began with a simple belief: creativity has the power to bring people together, build confidence, and strengthen communities. I wanted to create opportunities for people to discover that creativity doesn’t belong to a select few -it belongs to everyone.
That vision eventually grew into a physical studio where artists, makers, beginners, and curious creatives could gather to learn new skills, share ideas, and create alongside one another. Along the way, I discovered that what made Musecraft Studios special wasn’t the building itself. It was the people, the conversations, the donated supplies finding new purpose, and the community that formed around the idea that creativity should be welcoming and accessible.
Operating a physical studio also came with significant challenges. As a small, community-focused organization, balancing affordability with the realities of maintaining a dedicated space became increasingly difficult. Eventually, it became clear that while the location had served its purpose, the mission was larger than any one building.
Today, Musecraft Studios is entering its next chapter. We’re focusing on expanding our impact through community events, pop-up workshops, partnerships, online resources, and opportunities that connect artists with new audiences. By bringing creativity directly into the community, we hope to reach people who may never have walked through the doors of a traditional studio.
Looking back, I don’t see the closing of our physical space as the end of a chapter so much as a turning point. Every challenge has reinforced why Musecraft Studios exists: to remove barriers to creativity, foster meaningful connections, and help build a community where everyone feels empowered to create.
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 definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Building a community-focused organization means constantly balancing mission with sustainability. We wanted to keep creative opportunities affordable and accessible, but operating a physical studio came with significant expenses, from rent and utilities to equipment and supplies. There were many times when the financial realities of running the space were at odds with the mission we were trying to achieve.
Another challenge was simply the scale of the work. As a small organization, much of the planning, administration, fundraising, event coordination, marketing, maintenance, and day-to-day operations fell on a very small team; often just me. There were plenty of moments where it felt like I was wearing every hat at once.
One of the biggest lessons I learned is that passion alone isn’t enough to sustain an organization. It takes community support, thoughtful planning, and the willingness to adapt when circumstances change. Closing our physical studio was a difficult decision, and one that came with real personal and financial sacrifices, but it also gave us the opportunity to rethink how we could better fulfill our mission.
There were moments when I questioned whether I could keep going, but every time someone told me they or felt comfortable creating for the first time, it reminded me why Musecraft Studios exists.
Looking back, I don’t see those challenges as setbacks so much as lessons that helped clarify what Musecraft Studios is really about. Our mission was never tied to a building. It has always been about creating opportunities for people to connect, create, and support one another, and that’s something we’re continuing to build in new ways.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Musecraft Studios exists to make creativity more accessible and bring people together. We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to create, regardless of experience, income, or background. Everything we do is guided by four core principles: Ignite, Reduce Waste, Elevate, and Mutual Aid.
We curate beginner-friendly creative experiences through community workshops, pop-up events, online resources, and collaborative projects. We also operate an online marketplace and community booths that help showcase and sell the work of local artists and makers, creating opportunities for creatives to reach new audiences while strengthening our local arts community. Whether someone is binding their first journal, experimenting with a new medium, or simply looking for a welcoming place to create, we strive to make every experience approachable, affordable, and meaningful.
Every workshop begins with the same question: “Who might be unintentionally left out?” That question guides everything from project selection to pricing, pacing, accessibility, sensory considerations, and the different ways participants can engage. Rather than expecting people to adapt to our workshops, we strive to adapt our workshops to the people participating in them.
Our goal isn’t just to teach a craft – it’s to create an environment where people feel welcome to try something new, express themselves without fear of judgment, and discover that creativity belongs to everyone.
Ignite: To bring people together and ignite the creative spark that lives in all of us. We believe every person has the capacity to create, and that creating is one of the most powerful ways people discover confidence, connection, and agency. Together, we are fire.
Reduce Waste: To practice environmental justice by reusing donated resources, cutting waste, and challenging throwaway systems. Much of our inventory of supplies and equipment has been generously donated by community members, giving those materials a second life through creativity instead of allowing them to become waste.
Elevate: To foster innovation and exploration while uplifting human creativity, agency, and voice in the age of AI. We champion the imagination, real lived experiences, and emotions that only people can bring. Technology should expand human creativity – not replace it.
Mutual Aid: To strengthen our communities through mutual support, shared resources, and by uplifting small businesses, nonprofits, artists, makers, and educators. We believe communities flourish when people share knowledge, resources, and opportunities instead of guarding them. Whether that’s collaborating on community events, helping artists connect with customers through our marketplace, or sharing donated supplies, we’re committed to building a stronger and more connected community.
At its heart, Musecraft Studios isn’t defined by a building or a single program, or even a person. “Musecraft” is the belief that creativity has the power to strengthen communities and be a light in the darkness, that one doesn’t have to have wealth, or an abundance of experience to simply enjoy the act of creation. “Studios” is the statement that it’s not rooted in one place, anywhere can grow the seed of creativity. We want to help grow a garden.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Musecraft Studios has always been a family effort. My mom, D’arcy, and I each bring different perspectives and strengths, but we share a belief that creativity has the power to connect people and strengthen communities.
For me, Musecraft Studios is deeply personal. I’m a queer trans man with disabilities from the Twin Cities, and many of my values have been shaped by navigating spaces where I had to learn how to adapt, persevere, and make space for myself. Growing up with limited resources also taught me to appreciate the value of sharing what we have, finding creative solutions, and building communities where people support one another. Those experiences continue to shape the way I approach accessibility, inclusion, and the belief that creativity should never feel out of reach.
My mom brings a different kind of strength to Musecraft Studios. She has a lifelong love of art, a seemingly endless curiosity to learn, and a remarkable ability to make people feel welcomed and supported. Whether she’s sharing advice, helping someone learn a new technique, or simply making people smile, she reminds me that creativity is just as much about kindness and encouragement as it is about making something.
If there’s one thing I’d like readers to take away, it’s this: you don’t have to call yourself an artist to create. You don’t have to be “good enough” before you begin. Creativity isn’t reserved for professionals or paint and sips – it’s something that lives in all of us. Sometimes all it takes is an invitation to discover it.
My invitation for you now is: find some chalk and draw on the sidewalk. or markers or crayons and paper, just something with colors. Then, think of something that brings a smile to your face. draw while thinking about this. (you don’t have to draw what you’re thinking about, but it might be a good place to start!)
Pricing:
- Free
- Low-Cost
- Pay what you can
- Consignments
- Commissions
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.musecraftstudios.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musecraftstudiosmn/
- Other: https://bsky.app/profile/musecraftstudios.bsky.social
