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.
Whats on….
Young Creators: New Class added from primary school aged children.
Wednesdays (5-week block)
5:30–6:30pm
This is a small, relaxed art group designed for primary-aged children (approximately 6–10 years). The focus is on creativity, confidence and connection, rather than producing perfect artwork.
Across the 5 weeks, we’ll explore a range of materials and processes including painting, drawing, collage and mixed media. Each session is guided but flexible, allowing children to work at their own pace and follow their own ideas.
July Holiday Programs
Join us these school holidays for three days of creativity, exploration and hands-on artmaking at Create to Connect. Our holiday programs are designed for children who love to create — whether they’re confident artists or simply curious to try something new. Across each day, children will work through multiple art experiences, build confidence, experiment with different materials and enjoy creating alongside others in our welcoming studio environment.
🎨 PAINT & PLAY — July 8th
A full day of colour and creative experimentation. Children will explore painting through collaborative projects, canvas work, texture techniques and playful creative challenges while creating multiple artworks to take home.
🧵 TEXTILES & MAKING — July 9th
Slow down and create with your hands through weaving, fabric, fibre and mixed-media making. Expect embroidery hoop weaving, textile collage, decorative making and unique tactile creations.
🔨 MAKER SPACE — July 10th
Invent, build and bring ideas to life using cardboard, mixed materials and open-ended creative challenges. Children will design, construct and create imaginative worlds, inventions and one-of-a-kind projects.
Each day runs from 10:00am–2:00pm and includes multiple artmaking sessions plus games and movement breaks throughout the day.
Book individual days for $100 per child or choose our 3 Day Bundle and save $30. Spaces are limited — click below to book.
Birthday Parties and one off creative events.
Looking for a creative way to bring people together?
Create to Connect offers one-off creative sessions designed for connection, celebration, and shared creativity. These gatherings are relaxed, welcoming, and suitable for a range of ages and groups.
We offer:
Kids arty parties
Creative workshops
Make-and-mingle events
Carer and community groups
School holiday or special interest sessions
Private group bookings
Each session is tailored to the group and may include painting, collage, simple craft, or other creative activities designed to help people relax, connect, and enjoy making something together.
Interested in hosting a creative event?
Get in touch to discuss ideas and availability.
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
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!
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
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Signing up for group art at Create to Connect is simple!
If you are ready to go, using this link (booking link) to choose your class.
OR
Reach out through the contact form.
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Group art sessions run for 60-90 minutes, depending on the age of the participants.
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Group art may be covered by the NDIS if it’s included in your plan under “therapeutic supports.”
If you’re unsure, I’m happy to help guide you through the process!
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Group art is a therapeutic practice that uses creativity to explore emotions, process experiences, and foster self-expression. Learn more here.
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You can’t get art wrong!
Not at all! Group Art is about the process, not the product. No artistic skill is required to benefit. Discover how group art works here.
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Group art uses creative expression to help access and process emotions, thoughts, and experiences in a safe space. Find out more here.
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Group art is for people of all ages and abilities, from children to adults, seeking support and connections.
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Group art can support challenges like anxiety, grief, trauma, sensory needs, and more.
Simply making art in the same room as other people can decrease loneliness and help us connect to the world, ourselves and other people.
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Group art focuses on emotional and mental well-being rather than learning artistic techniques. Its about the process, not the production.
Create to Connect is a place to make art and connect with the people around you.