The SWAC Story
StudioWorks Art Collective (SWAC) is a non-profit organization that specializes in helping creatives take their artistic ideas from concept to creation. Our mission is to provide a supportive and collaborative environment where artists can explore their creativity, develop their skills, and showcase their work. We are dedicated to fostering a vibrant arts community and empowering artists to thrive in their craft.
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Our organization was born from a desire to find a place to belong. So many creative people work in isolation, or simply give up completely, because they don't see themselves as artists. We make excuses to talk us out of our creativity: "I'm not trained"; "I'm still learning"; "I don't make traditional art"; "I'm not a 'tortured' artist"; "I don't don't do 'real' art" (what is that anyway???); " I'm not good enough". You name it, we've heard it all.
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StudioWorks Art Collective just wants you to make stuff. Get out of your own way. Make mistakes. Try again.
Like Henri Matisse said, "Creativity takes courage." So join us, we can brave it out together.
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Our Team
Cindy Walker and Lorena "Lola" Thurman are the co-founders behind SWAC, and they are ready to inspire!
With over 30 years of experience as an artist and teacher, Cindy has dedicated her life to nurturing creativity across Canada, Great Britain, and the United States. She’s surrounded herself with artists of all ages and knows the challenges of expressing one's creativity. With her vibrant art, humor, and a growth mindset, she tackles life's obstacles head-on!
On the other hand, Lola brings an impressive 14 years of career advising experience, with twelve of those dedicated to empowering artists in the commercial arts industry. As an “agent of change,” she passionately delivers motivational presentations that equip individuals and small groups with the knowledge and encouragement they need to chase their dreams. When she's not uplifting creative spirits, Lola enjoys parenting her daughter, traveling to new destinations, and mastering the Spanish language!
