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Glen Park Arts Studio Celebrates 25 Years in Business

January 30, 2025 by Sophia Elson

Barbara Kaufman greets painters at studio door
Barbara Kaufman greets painters at studio door

For the past 25 years, thousands of people have discovered their creative voice at The Center for Creative Exploration, which believes that everyone can paint when given space free from judgment or critique.

“Who would have dreamed that a café on the corner of Chenery and Miguel Streets could be transformed into a longstanding sanctuary for creative exploration?” said Maria Freebairn-Smith, Outreach Director and founding member. “Yet here we are, a living testament to the love and commitment of our community.”

An anniversary celebration Saturday, February 22, from 3 to 7 p.m., will feature collective artwork sharing, community gathering and refreshments by chef Alyssa Cox. A silent auction to benefit the Center opens February 7. See details below.

Painting by Claudia Erzinger
Painting by Claudia Erzinger

Under guidance from arts practitioners experienced in hospice care, psychology, and meditation, artists from all walks of life, including working professionals, retirees, families, and spiritual seekers, work intuitively with high-quality tempera and natural bristle brushes. There are no critiques — just the freedom to follow one’s instincts and explore what emerges.

“Often after a class, people tell me they feel completely different,” says Claudia Erzinger, teacher and Executive Director. “They didn’t know they had all these feelings inside. Through the painting process, we touch deep feelings of grief and fear, but also tenderness and love. I see people’s surprise that these paintings came out of them. Creating from the present moment without pressure connects us to our life force.”

Painting by Maria Freebairn-Smith
Painting by Maria Freebairn-Smith

For Sula Harris, co-founder of the studio, intuitive painting provided crucial support during personal crisis: “When my daughter was diagnosed with breast cancer, I was flooded with grief and terror. Leaning into decades of intuitive painting provided a container for the tsunami of feelings coursing through me. It saved me, providing a place to deepen into unexplored layers of my experience and follow a stream to a wider view. Painting always met me where I was, giving strength to experience the complexity of darkness interfused with light, to recognize a spark of joy amid grief.”

Intuitive Painting SF is part of a rich Bay Area tradition that began with pioneers Michele Cassou and Stewart Cubley. Today, intuitive painting practitioners from the Bay Area continue developing this transformative approach.

The studio has partnered with private mental health organizations, corporate teams, meditation centers like Spirit Rock and SF Zen Center, and the SF Unified and Jefferson Elementary School Districts. They have also provided continuing education for nurses and worked with other nonprofits such as DrawBridge’s arts program for children in shelters and Horizons, which provides academic and enrichment for children in the SF Mission District.

Studio interior w Claudia Erzinger, Alyssa Cox
Studio interior w Claudia Erzinger, Alyssa Cox

The studio will commemorate this legacy of creative exploration with a special event:

25th Anniversary Celebration
Date: Saturday, February 22, 2025
Time: 3-7 PM; 4PM Collective Painting Sharing begins
Location: 300 Chenery Street, San Francisco
Features: Collective artwork sharing, community gathering, refreshments by chef Alyssa Cox
More info and RSVP: intuitivepaintingsfparty.eventbrite.com

Silent Auction
Date: Going live February 7, 2025
Features: Dining, overnight packages, adventures, gifts, art, services.
Funds support tuition assistance and community programs
Link (live on Feb 7): https://app.galabid.com/intuitivepaintingsf/items

Filed Under: Arts, Events

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IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES

Upper Noe Neighbors Community Meeting Wednesday, May 21, 7 p.m.
Upper Noe Recreation Center auditorium
295 Day Street
Agenda


San Francisco Department of Public Works logoDPW Love Our City
District 8 Cleanup Day
Saturday, June 7, 9 a.m. to afternoon
Learn more and sign up here


 

Logo Center for Creative Exploration

The Center for Creative Exploration
Explore all the Colors of the Rainbow
one-day workshop
Saturday, June 7, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
300 Chenery Street
Learn more and link to registration here


Weeding Party
June 21, 10 a.m. to noon
100 block of Arlington at Charles
Join neighbors on the North end of the Cut to keep down the weeds and beautify top to bottom. Tools, lunch and good company provided.


Monthly cleanup on the Greenway
First Saturday of the Month (usually)
Click here to learn more


Friends of Glen Canyon’s
Glen Canyon Habitat Restoration
Every third Saturday 9:30 a.m to noon
Sign up here

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Glen Park Rec Center

Glen Canyon Park sign
Click here for latest
Glen Park Rec Center
class schedule


Saturdays 3-4:45 p.m.
Questions? Call 415-239-4007


GP Movie Night Schedule

Renew Your Glen Park Association Membership for 2025

Join the Glen Park Association and help promote our community’s interests. Together, we can secure improvement funds, publicize neighborhood concerns and strive to speak as one voice on neighborhood and city issues.

Membership in the Glen Park Association is only $10 annually and can be purchased online.

Glen Park Association Advertising Sponsors

JE_Digital Small Space Ad
Diamond Heights Digital Ad
GPA Ad- Perez Construction ad 6.27.22 v Glen Park
moroco
Center for Creative Exploration - adult
JE_Digital Small Space Ad
Diamond Heights Digital Ad
GPA Ad- Perez Construction ad 6.27.22 v Glen Park
moroco
Center for Creative Exploration - adult
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Glen Park Association is at San Francisco Public Library Glen Park Branch.
1 day ago
Glen Park Association

Photos and Fun courtesy of the Glen Park Library!
It was a great turnout at the Glen Park Library Open House on Saturday May 17th!

Thank you to all who attended and a big thank you to Glen Park Branch Library Manager Darren Heiber and his staff for a fantastic day!! 🙌🏽

San Francisco Public Library Arion Press | Artist Books Museum of Craft and Design Rafael Mandelman 🏳️‍🌈 #glenparklibrary #arionpress #museumofcraftanddesign #glenparksf #sanfrancisco #InCommunity
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Photos and Fun courtesy of the Glen Park Library! 
It was a great turnout at the Glen Park Library Open House on Saturday May 17th!

Thank you to all who attended and a big thank you to Glen Park Branch Library Manager Darren Heiber and his staff for a fantastic day!! 🙌🏽

@sfpubliclibrary @arionpress @museumofcraftanddesign @rafaelmandelmand8 #glenparklibrary #arionpress #museumofcraftanddesign #glenparksf #sanfrancisco #incommunity
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Glen Park Association is at Glen Park Recreation Center.
2 days ago
Glen Park Association

Qi Gong & Tai Chi Thursdays at the Glen Park Rec Center!

Thursdays 2:00PM - 2:45PM
Room #1
Led by led by Ashima Sarin

Beginners and All Levels of Mobility Are Welcome! It’s FREE and drop-in!

(There will be no class the second half of June and July)

📍Glen Park Rec Center, 70 Elk Street

QUESTIONS? CALL 415-239-4007
... See MoreSee Less

Qi Gong & Tai Chi Thursdays at the Glen Park Rec Center!

Thursdays  2:00PM - 2:45PM 
Room #1
Led by led by Ashima Sarin

Beginners and All Levels of Mobility Are Welcome! It’s FREE and drop-in! 

(There will be no class the second half of June and July)

📍Glen Park Rec Center, 70 Elk Street 

QUESTIONS? CALL 415-239-4007
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View Comments
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Blog Roll

Coyote Yipps
Friends of Upper Noe Recreation Center
Glen Park Neighborhoods History Project
Open SF History
Sunnyside Conservatory
Sunnyside History
Sunnyside Neighborhood Association
Tramps of San Francisco
Upper Noe Neighbors

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