Have you ever heard the phrase, “If you want to go fast, go alone. But if you want to go further, go together?”
This applies to so many things, but I think it’s also valuable when thinking about the benefits of a creative community.
I know it can seem like you have to do all of this alone — I mean, you are the only one painting the actual things you work on. It’s not like making door hangers, or a fun craft project are a team effort, right? This stuff can sometimes feel like quite the solo endeavor.
But that couldn’t be further from the truth! Friends, we NEED community in our lives — whether that’s at work, PTA, Church, or in a fun painting group. You can truly do so much more together. And applying the power of community to what we do creatively can reap so many rewards!
So in this post, we’re going to unpack all the ways a community can help you — and I’ll show how you can start finding your creative people, too!
The many benefits of creative community
Creativity doesn’t exist in a bubble! It’s meant to be explored and shared with others. And when we do that, we do more than we could ever dream of. But let’s take a look at how, more specifically, this is possible.
Creative communities offer feedback and support
One of the most valuable things we get from creative communities is feedback! It’s really easy to get caught up in a project, and then feel stuck and unsure of where to go next.
With a community, you have the opportunity to reach out and see if anyone has tips or notices any ways you can improve your work. It’s a safe place to express yourself, share your thoughts, and get the support you need to better your skills — without fear of judgment!
You can bounce ideas or learn something new
Creative communities aren’t just good for getting feedback — they’re also great for bouncing ideas off of each other. You can see what others are doing, learn new techniques or tricks.
But it doesn’t always come down to experience. We are all different and perceive the world in unique ways. Because of that, you might find someone who can approach a project from a new angle and see a new idea you never would have before.
Plus, I really do feel like the best ideas come from working together!
You know you aren’t alone
Past being able to help you with your creative work, a community can help you build relationships with others and remind you that you aren’t alone. It’s nice to come together and let the worries of the world melt away as you create!
And these friends can support you and encourage you when times are tough.
Where to find creative communities
If you’re interested in joining a creative community of your own, check out a few ideas below to help you get started!
Your local community
Depending on where you live, there’s likely a local group you can join! Think community centers, churches, citywide events, etc. There may not always be consistent gatherings, but at least you can go and make new friends while doing something you enjoy!
Create it yourself
You can also create a creative community yourself through paint parties or craft nights. Get together once a month, invite your friends and neighbors (and tell them to tell their friends, too!), and bring all the good snacks!
This ensures you’re still able to get that creative time while also spending time with others. And doing it from your home means comfy clothes — like leggings or sweatpants — are more than okay!
Join a Southern Adoornments Decor creative community
Community is a big thing here — which is exactly why we have several ways for you to find your people and get your painting on!
With the Painter’s Clubhouse membership, you get to be a part of a monthly door hanger painting group, filled with all kinds of other creatives like you! You’ll get exciting new projects, weekly live tutorials, and a private group just for Clubhouse members, where you can hang out with/interact with others in the group!
We also host a few in-person, live events every year — most notably Southern Adoornments (SA) Live! This is a chance to spend the weekend somewhere FUN (this year we’re going to the Smokey Mountains) and have a few days dedicated to all things crafty, with plenty of opportunities to meet and hang out with other attendees. Not to mention, extra excursions — this year we’re headed to Dollywood!
Ticket sales will reopen soon for SA Live 2024, so make sure to follow me here to learn more and find out when tickets open up again!
Can’t make SA Live? We’ve got something else for you!
If you weren’t able to grab a ticket to this year’s SA Live, no worries. We have another live event coming up on April 16th and 18th!
Our Americana Truck Paint Week will be two days full of all the door hanger fun you can imagine! We’ll be painting this adorable truck design…
…and each night, we’ll cover a different piece of the project, so no matter your skill level, you’ll be able to follow along and have fun!
Night one, we’ll cover the basics, like the base coat, and night two, we’ll cover things like the hand lettering and fine details. Remember — this is a live workshop, with replays to follow, so you’ll be able to follow along with us in real-time to see how it’s done, then watch the replay again and again, as many times as you need!
If you want to join, you can learn more or sign up for Americana Truck Paint Week here!
At every turn, God keeps reminding me of how important community is. Thank you for your encouraging words.