Up here in Muskoka though- as a Balmer, no one has the faintest idea what the heck was going on.

People who engage in forms of art are more likely to recover from illness more quickly, have deeper social ties and be able to problem solve faster.

As parents, Coel and I have been pretty fun with our kids. We have raised them mostly at a summer camp and outdoor centre, we are active and outside for most of the year. We love entertaining and most often are up for anything. When the kids want to try something new- we usually say yes.

When I was a Camp Director one of the things that would drive me mad was when someone would say “oh, we can’t do that activity because the children are too young”. No- they just haven’t been taught yet. My father is fantastic for that. He would have us outside with tools at a very young age, learning how to use…and respect tools so that we would be free to create what we wanted. He still is like this with our kids- even though this generation seems a bit more terrified than I remember being for some reason, they still get right in there!

I think it is important even for adults to keep learning. We get to an age where we settle into our routines and become comfortable going to work, taking care of our animals or children, going on vacations. How many of us are committed to learning a new skill each year? Even if it is as simple as using a new tool? Trying a new form of art?

In the research I did getting ready for the studio I found out that people who engage in forms of art are more likely to recover from illness more quickly, have deeper social ties and be able to problem solve faster. These are all good things for our lives!

I wanted Let The Cat Go studio to be a place that is funny, approachable and silly. A place where we always (most likely) say yes when people have ideas about new classes and workshops and where sharing happens. I hope that more artists will share their talents so that our community will grow and be a healthier place because we can all use a little more art.

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