Creativity Exploration

Photo by Steven Brooke

Works from NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale’s permanent collection inspire this series of independent mindfulness experiences and art. Learn about art and connect to your own creativity and wellness through inspiring ideas that promote personal discovery.

One of NSU Art Museum’s most popular adult education programs, Creativity Exploration, promotes the development of creativity and self-expression through art-making and the practice of mindfulness.

Studies have proven that just 45 minutes of creative activity a day can reduce stress, encourage relaxation, and improve mental clarity. Creativity Exploration workshops are designed to expand participants’ sense of well-being, as well as develop their perceptions of forms, while increasing brain connectivity through visual and cognitive stimulation. Workshops are led by art educator Lark Keeler, a specialist in mindfulness education and a past president of the Florida Arts Education Association.

The program’s innovative and adaptive techniques support mindfulness, guided art-making and exploration, and creative and collaborative opportunities.  Participants are provided with a list of materials prior to class and no prior art experience is necessary to participate. Each workshop concludes with a closing ritual to celebrate personal exploration, the creative community and collaborative efforts of the group.

Kiki Smith

Thinking about the work of Kiki Smith, begin to imagine how you could tell a personal narrative through objects, symbols, and images. Think about how these assemblages could be documented with your cell phone camera.

Cindy Sherman

Inspired by the work of Cindy Sherman, and the reflective exercise of gathering, observing, considering, and accepting your many identities, begin to imagine how you could best construct each of your identities and personas using materials found in your home and your cell phone camera.

Shinique Smith

Inspired by the work of Shinique Smith, begin to imagine and visualize your fabrics and clothing. Think about how these fabrics could be collected and assembled, then document them with your cell phone camera.

Mickalene Thomas

Inspired by the work of Mickalene Thomas and the reflective mindfulness exercise that pondered feelings of pride and validation, create a work of art to celebrate your powerful, authentic being through a mixed media self-portrait.

FriendsWithYou

Inspired by the work of FriendsWithYou, and the reflective exercise of cultivating daily childlike wonderment, explore ways of working with materials through a variety of playful approaches.

Luis Mallo

Inspired by the work of Luis Mallo’s Passengers and the reflective mindfulness exercise that invites us to reflect upon the history and life’s work of our hands, create a series of portraits that tell the story of you and your loved ones.

Creativity Exploration is sponsored by the Charles P. Ferro Foundation.

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Exhibitions

Currently on View

Piero Penizzotto, Kings of Comedy (Chris, Imani, Bernard, Calvin, Dre), 2024 Papier-mâché, foam and acrylic Photography by Oriol Tarridas Courtesy of the Artist and Primary

Close to Home

June 7 - October 4, 2026
William J. Glackens, Along the Marne, 1925, Oil on board, NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale, bequest of Ira D. Glackens 91.40.107

Defining Landscapes

May 7 - July 26, 2026
Frantz Zéphirin, Ceremonie Zeïdes Medji La Mère des Erzulies (Ceremony of the Zeïdes Medji, the Mother of the Erzulies.), 2016, Acrylic on canvas, 20 x 24 inches, Copyright the artist, courtesy of CENTRAL FINE and El-Saieh.

Frantz Zéphirin: The Messenger

June 7 - October 4, 2026
Asger Jorn, Individuum Ineffable (Ineffable Personality), 1966, Acrylic on paper mounted on canvas, 21.7 x 18.5 in (55.2 x 46.9 cm), NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale; Cobra Collection; gift of Golda and Meyer Marks M-98.30. © 2025 Donation Jorn, Silkeborg / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / VISDA; Photograph by Angelika Rinnhofer.

Asger Jorn: Luck and Chance

September 21, 2025 - August 9, 2026