Thursday , October 23rd
12:00PM - 1:00PM

They will speak to a selection of paintings, offering personal insights into the creative prompts that inspired them. Through this discussion, they'll reflect on the lessons they learned, the objects they created, and the artistic processes they explored.

This is a unique opportunity to hear directly from the artists about their journeys, challenges, and discoveries throughout the making of this exhibit.

A short video preview of the participating artists will also be available on our website ahead of the talk.

Registration: Free | RSVP is Essential

Donate: The workshop is free, donations are welcome

Thursdays
2:00 - 3:00 pm PT

Calling all Group Leaders and Activity Directors!

Join our virtual sessions to learn more about Gallery Takeover, our annual collaborative, community-based arts exhibition. This year’s theme, "Hope Thrives," explores creativity as a powerful tool for adaptation and resilience.

Hosted by the Creative Engagement team at Front Porch, these live virtual sessions will walk you through the project, demonstrate creative techniques, and provide the support you need to bring the experience back to your own community.

You're welcome to create along with us—materials are listed below—but feel free to join whether or not you have supplies on hand.

Watch the 2025 Hope Thrives Creative Aging Symposium 

Project: Mandala of Nourishment and Lantern of Hope

Materials needed: Paper, Paint, Cut Veggies, Ballon, Tissue Paper, Glue

Registration: Free | RSVP is Essential

Your generous donation keeps programs like Virtual Studio free and accessible to all.

Image: Watercolor painting sample from the Relaxing with Watercolors Virtual Studio workshop by Teaching Artist Joyce Nojima.

Thursday , October 16th
1:00PM - 3:00PM

A workshop of creative expression and inner calm

Join us for a peaceful and inspiring two-hour workshop where Persian calligraphy, poetry, and mindfulness come together in a unique cultural and creative experience. Guided by Dr. Yasaman Mostajeran, participants will explore the flowing beauty of Persian script and reflect on the poetic wisdom of Rumi, Hafez, and Saadi.

This workshop blends meditative writing exercises, guided breathwork, and group reflection, creating space for self-expression, emotional balance, and a deeper connection to Persian literary and artistic traditions.

What You’ll Experience:

• A calming introduction to Persian calligraphy and poetry as spiritual art forms

• Mindfulness through breath and verse, with readings from Rumi or Hafez

• Hands-on calligraphy practice using bamboo pens and ink

• Space to personalize your calligraphy with your own poetic interpretation

• Group reflection and sharing for those who wish to participate

• A take-home calligraphy piece and printed Persian poem

All materials provided. No experience necessary.

About the Facilitator:

Yasaman Mostajeran, PhD, is a child and adolescent psychotherapist and member of Persian Place. Her work integrates the healing power of art and the depth of Persian mysticism, offering a safe, welcoming space for personal growth and creative exploration.

Hosted by Persian Place

Persian Place is a Carlsbad-based nonprofit dedicated to preserving and sharing Persian art and culture through workshops, events, and educational programming.

Come as you are and leave feeling centered, inspired, and connected.

Teaching Artist: Yasaman Mostajeran, PhD

Registration: Free | RSVP is Essential

Donate: The workshop is free, donations are welcome

Thursdays
2:00 - 3:00 pm PT

Calling all Group Leaders and Activity Directors!

Join our virtual sessions to learn more about Gallery Takeover, our annual collaborative, community-based arts exhibition. This year’s theme, "Hope Thrives," explores creativity as a powerful tool for adaptation and resilience.

Hosted by the Creative Engagement team at Front Porch, these live virtual sessions will walk you through the project, demonstrate creative techniques, and provide the support you need to bring the experience back to your own community.

You're welcome to create along with us—materials are listed below—but feel free to join whether or not you have supplies on hand.

Watch the 2025 Hope Thrives Creative Aging Symposium 

Project: Cosmic Perspective and Life Kite

Materials needed: Paper, Paint, Pens/Markers, Collage materials, Scissors, Glue

Registration: Free | RSVP is Essential

Your generous donation keeps programs like Virtual Studio free and accessible to all.

Image: Watercolor painting sample from the Relaxing with Watercolors Virtual Studio workshop by Teaching Artist Joyce Nojima.

Thursdays
2:00 - 3:00 pm PT

Calling all Group Leaders and Activity Directors!

Join our virtual sessions to learn more about Gallery Takeover, our annual collaborative, community-based arts exhibition. This year’s theme, "Hope Thrives," explores creativity as a powerful tool for adaptation and resilience.

Hosted by the Creative Engagement team at Front Porch, these live virtual sessions will walk you through the project, demonstrate creative techniques, and provide the support you need to bring the experience back to your own community.

You're welcome to create along with us—materials are listed below—but feel free to join whether or not you have supplies on hand.

Watch the 2025 Hope Thrives Creative Aging Symposium 

PROJECT: Lotus Rising

Materials needed: 3 paper plates and a paper cup; Paints (tempera preferred; acrylic or watercolor will work); Brushes and Glue.

Registration: Free | RSVP is Essential

Your generous donation keeps programs like Virtual Studio free and accessible to all.

Image: Watercolor painting sample from the Relaxing with Watercolors Virtual Studio workshop by Teaching Artist Joyce Nojima.

Friday , September 19, 2025
11:30AM - 1:00PM

The Sacred Art of Belly Dance

Discover the joy, beauty, and empowerment of belly dance in this gentle, fun, and low-impact class designed especially for older adults. Perfect for beginners and first-timers, the class uses stretching, breathing, shimmies, and flowing movements to build strength, flexibility, balance, and core stability while connecting with inner wisdom and celebrating female empowerment in a supportive community. Come join in and explore the sacred art of belly dance.

Your teacher, Donnalee Singer, brings more than 40 years of performance and choreography experience, along with training in the Serena method, to create a safe and inviting space for individuals to try something new.

Teaching Artist: Donnalee Singer

Registration: Free | RSVP is Essential

Donate: The workshop is free, donations are welcome

Thursday, September 11, 2025
2:00pM - 4:00PM
Mini-Museum Making

Thursday, September 11, 2025
2:00PM - 4:00PM

Spend the afternoon curating and designing a personalized pocket-sized museum-in-a-box!  Inspired by CARL, Front Porch Gallery’s Free Little Art Museum, flat-lay portraits, and the tradition of “cabinets of curiosity”, participants will artfully choose and arrange a small “collection” of tiny objects for display within a small container or box. In the second half of the workshop, participants will write fictitious descriptions for the pieces they have selected to contextualize their inclusion and provide viewers with additional information about their “importance”. This workshop is designed to help train your eye, increase your skills of curation, and to spark curiosity in everyday things.  

NOTE: Participants will be strongly encouraged to hide the museums they make as part of a “free art drop” in the real world for others to discover and perhaps keep! 

Your instructor, Park Cofield, brings years of experience creating and sharing #freeart museums in Atlanta, Los Angeles, and all over the world in his travels. 

Materials/Supplies: Materials will be provided, but feel free to bring along a small container of your choice (mint tins are great), as well as any tiny items, knick-knacks or curiosities that you’d like to incorporate

Teaching Artist: Park Cofield

Registration: Free | RSVP is Essential

Donate: The workshop is free, donations are welcome

Writing as Art: Express Your Creativity Through Words

Thursday, September 4, 2025
11:30AM - 1:30PM

Ready to add another dimension to your art practice? Join us for a 2-hour exploration of writing as creative expression.

Through guided exercises, you’ll allow your creativity to express in a new way—through your words. In this supportive, judgment-free environment, you’ll experiment with the written word through guided exercises, share your work aloud, and hear fellow artists’ pieces. You’ll learn practical writing tips to enhance both your written and visual expression. Enjoy the camaraderie from sharing your voice with others, and emerge with a deeper connection to your artistic voice. No writing experience is necessary, just curiosity and openness to creative discovery.

Your guide, Andrea Susan Glass, is an award-winning ghostwriter, copy editor, and nonfiction book coach for first time authors. She’s the bestselling author of two books on writing and teaches for the University of California as well as through her online courses.

Teaching Artist: Andrea Susan Glass

Suggested Supplies: bring pen and paper or your preferred form of writing materials.

Registration: Free | RSVP is Essential

Donate: The workshop is free, donations are welcome

Thursday, August 28, 2025
11:00AM - 1:00PM

In this workshop, you will make one or more sturdy and artistic bowls or vessels from scraps of fabric or paper or both. The final size of the vessel will be determined by the container or balloon you choose to use. We will be using wheat paste, which when dry, is incredibly strong. Prepare to get a little messy, but the final results are one-of-a-kind beautiful art pieces.

Allergy Warning: Wheat paste

Suggested Supplies: All materials will be provided. Wear clothing that can get messy.

Teaching Artist: Robin Barrett

Registration: Free | RSVP is Essential

Donate: The workshop is free, donations are welcome

Thursday, August 21, 2025
11:00AM - 1:00PM

This sun printing workshop introduces participants how to create beautiful handmade art pieces. Harness the power of the sun to create photographic art without using a camera by using cutout paper shapes or botanic materials on acrylic treated surfaces or light sensitive paper. Participants will have the opportunity to expose fabric or paper to experiment and create samples to take home. 

Suggested Supplies: All materials will be provided but you are welcome to bring cotton fabric, paper cutouts, or your own leaves and botanic materials.

Teaching Artist: Robin Barrett

Registration: Free | RSVP is Essential

Donate: The workshop is free, donations are welcome

Thursday, August 14th
1:00PM - 3:00PM 

MOHAI Dolls 

A MOHAI doll is a Messenger of Hope and Inspiration. It is a doll that you create using scrap material, old jewelry and your imagination. Once created, your doll will take on a personality that resonates within you, giving you power, words of wisdom or inspiration. The process of making a doll invites you to search inward to see what it is that is important to you. Come and partake in the magic making. 

Suggested Supplies: All materials will be provided, if there is something that you would like to bring to personalize it, please do so.

Teaching Artist: Kim Cyr

Registration: Free | RSVP is Essential

Donate: The workshop is free, donations are welcome

Friday, August 8th 

11:30AM - 1:30PM

Unlock your creativity through body, words, and voice in this soulful three part workshop designed to awaken creativity, deepen self-awareness and foster community. Craft your own original fairy tale using a mix of writing prompts and plot ideas.

Part 1:  Dance and move to inspirational music

Part 2:  Write a short fairytale. 

Part 3:  Gather in a circle to share our experience.     

No experience needed:  Just bring your unique self. 

**Dress to express**

Teaching Artist: Lisa Trujillio

Suggested Supplies: All materials will be provided

Registration: Free | RSVP is Essential

Donate: The workshop is free, donations are welcome