Create to Connect

A welcoming, low-pressure visual arts studio to explore creativity, build confidence and feel connected.

Located on Heatherhill Road in Frankston.

Weekly art groups for young people and women.

Kids’ arty birthday parties.

Holiday programs and special occasions.

Create to Connect visual arts  studio  in Frankston logo

Whats on….

Home and Distance Learners

Take a little time out for yourself. Our Women’s Art Group offers relaxed, fortnightly Sunday afternoons to slow down, explore creativity and connect with other women. Each two-hour session begins with a short, gentle meditation before we explore a different art medium and create something from start to finish. No artistic experience is needed—just come as you are and enjoy the simple pleasure of making.

Term 3 Sessions:
• 19 July – Clay & Reflection
• 2 August – Fibre Art & Weaving
• 16 August – Watercolour & Ink
• 30 August – Mixed Media Collage
• 13 September – Printmaking

Sessions run fortnightly on Sundays from 2pm–4pm at our Frankston studio. Book the individual sessions that interest you for $45 each, or save by joining the full five-session series for $200. All materials are included.

A relaxed, hands-on creative space for home and distance learners aged 7–15 to explore art, materials and ideas at their own pace.

These are not traditional art classes. There is no pressure to copy an example or make something the “right” way. Each session offers a mix of guided activities and open-ended creative exploration, with opportunities to paint, draw, build, sew, sculpt, experiment and follow individual interests.

Small group sizes allow children to work at their own pace, connect with others and receive support when they need it. It’s particularly suited to creative and neurodivergent young people who enjoy learning through making and benefit from a relaxed, low-pressure environment.

Mondays | 10am–12pm
Create to Connect, Frankston
Ages 7–15 | All materials included

Flexible weekly bookings available — come when it works for your family.

Womens Art Groups

Weekly Creative Groups

Create to Connect offers a range of creative groups and workshops for children, teenagers and adults in Frankston. Our sessions focus on creativity, connection and self-expression in a relaxed and welcoming environment where there is no right or wrong way to make art.

Whether you're looking for art classes for children, creative workshops for teenagers, a welcoming women's art group, or opportunities for home and distance learners to connect through creativity, there's something for everyone.

Home & Distance Learners

Mondays | 10am–12pm

A creative and social art group for children who are homeschooled or distance educated. Participants explore a range of art materials and creative challenges while building confidence, friendships and creative skills.

6–10 Year Old Art Group

Mondays | 5pm–6pm

A fun and engaging weekly art class where children can paint, draw, build, create and explore a variety of art materials. Perfect for young people who love making things and using their imagination.

10–14 Year Old Art Group

Mondays | 6:30pm–7:30pm

A welcoming art group for creative young people who enjoy exploring new ideas and expressing themselves through art. Projects may include painting, clay, collage, textiles, printmaking and mixed media.

Young Creators Club

Wednesdays | 5:30pm–6:30pm

A creative club for young people who love making, designing and experimenting. Each week introduces new materials, techniques and creative challenges in a supportive and encouraging environment.

14–18 Year Old Art Group

Wednesdays | 7pm–8:30pm

A relaxed and supportive creative space for teenagers. Participants are encouraged to develop their own artistic interests, explore different media and build confidence through creative exploration and self-expression.

Birthday Parties and creative events.

Looking for a fun, creative and stress-free birthday party in Frankston?

Create to Connect specialises in children's art birthday parties where young people can create, make, explore and celebrate with their friends. Our parties are designed to be relaxed, engaging and memorable, with a range of creative activities tailored to your child's interests and age group.

Choose from painting, mixed media, clay, collage, maker space activities and more. All materials are supplied, and families are welcome to bring their own food, drinks and birthday cake.

In addition to children's birthday parties, we also offer:

• Make & Mingle events for adults
• Creative workshops
• Community and carer groups
• School holiday programs
• Private group bookings and special events

Whether you're planning a birthday celebration, creative workshop or social gathering, we'd love to help you create a memorable experience.

Get in touch to discuss ideas, availability and booking options.

Or click here for more info.

Artists painting at a table with paints, brushes, and paper, with a focus on paint palette and cups, in a creative setting.
Brooke Ary. Visual Arts teacher and art therapist.

Hello and welcome!

I’m Brooke Ary, a mum of three and an art educator and therapist with a heart for helping individuals, children, families, and groups connect through creativity.

Create to connect was born from a simple but powerful truth I’ve witnessed again and again: when we make art, we find ourselves—and we find each other. There’s a quiet magic in sitting together with colours, textures, and open hearts. It softens us. It reminds us that we belong. My studio is a gentle, welcoming space where people can pause the noise of the world, breathe a little deeper, and reconnect with creativity in a way that feels nourishing and real.

I’ve been a visual arts teacher for over 20 years, and I’ve worked with everyone from tiny preschoolers to teenagers to adults rediscovering their creative spark. I hold a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Baylor University in Waco, Texas, and I’ve completed a diploma in art therapy as well as training in the Berry Street model of trauma-informed practice. I’ve coached basketball for many years too, which has shaped my understanding of teamwork and community. And yes—I'm first-aid trained, because feeling safe is part of feeling free to explore.

My studio welcomes people of all ages and walks of life—preschoolers with their parent or carer, school-aged children, teens, adults, women’s groups, men’s groups, carers’ groups, and anyone seeking a creative space to feel seen, supported, and connected. Whether you want to rediscover your creative voice, find a moment of calm, strengthen emotional resilience, or simply enjoy making art alongside others, Create to Connect is a place where you can show up exactly as you are and participate in whatever way feels right. Here, we make art to reconnect—with ourselves, with others, and with the joy of creating.

Check out our services page for information about our current and upcoming groups.

Why come to Create to Connect?

Create to connect is a visual arts studio where you come when you’re feeling disconnected, overwhelmed, too busy or simply craving a safe place to express yourself. Here, you can slow down, make art without any pressure, and feel genuinely supported. You will leave feeling calmer, more connected, and more like yourself again.

  • Teens who love to create and want to connect with like minded peers, but maybe don’t love being told how to create or how to connect.

  • Kids who have tried other after school activities and found they “aren’t quite right.”

  • Women who need a minute. Who feel overwhelmed or like they have lost part of who they are.

  • Carers who are burnt out and need space to process, heal, breathe and connect with people in a similar situation.

  • Parents, grandparents and carers who want to do something with their preschooler before they start their schooling journey.

  • Mums and Dads who need a break and want to explore their reality, not just ignore it.

  • Artists who want a space to create….and connect.

  • Anyone seeking connection and creativity

The Studio

The studio on Heatherhill Road in Frankston on the Mornington Peninsula
Wooden staircase with a handrail on the right side, leading down to a small landing with white walls and a white ventilation cover.
A meeting room with a long black table surrounded by wooden chairs. There is a large abstract painting on the back wall, a white couch with pillows, a white shelf with plants, framed pictures, and a small decorative item. The room has white walls and a wood floor.
Office space with chairs, a cardboard box, a decorative basket, artwork on the wall, and hanging pendant lights.

Benefits of Group Art

Group art offers a relaxed way to explore, reflect, and connect through making — without pressure or expectations.

In each session, participants work on their own individual artworks, using materials such as paint, drawing, collage, or clay, while creating side by side with others. The focus is on the experience of making, not on producing a shared or “perfect” result.

Group art can be especially supportive for children, teens, and adults who:

  • Enjoy hands-on, creative activities

  • Find connection easier through shared activity rather than conversation

  • Appreciate space to explore ideas and feelings at their own pace

For many people, art becomes a useful way to express things that are hard to put into words, while still feeling connected to the group.

Simple, creative, and welcoming — and always with the reminder that you can’t get art wrong.

Get in Touch!

Let’s chat about if group art is right for you!

Messy art supplies including colored pencils, pastels, and paints on a wooden table with an ornate rug and furniture in the background.

Inclusion Statement

Everyone is welcome here.

Let me know if you have any adjustments required to participate.

Unfortunately the studio is upstairs. I am unable to make it accessible to people who are not able to manage stairs.

FAQ

A paper cup filled with pencils and paintbrushes on a white surface, with some markers lying in front and casting shadows on the wall.