The Artmaking Space: Embracing Creativity for Wellbeing and Community
The Artmaking Space is a welcoming and inclusive studio where creativity becomes a pathway to wellbeing, connection, and self-expression. Our space provides a calm and accessible environment where people of all ages and backgrounds can gather to create, reflect, and restore. As we grow, we aim to bring the spirit of this studio beyond its walls through community outreach, pop-up events, and partnerships that share the power of art in healthcare and community settings.
MISSION
Our mission at The Artmaking Space is to foster a nurturing environment where individuals can explore their creativity as a means to promote mental and emotional wellness, and to cultivate a sense of belonging and understanding within our community.
VISION
Our vision is to be a catalyst for positive change by integrating art into diverse healthcare and community settings, enhancing the lives of individuals and families through creative expression, and promoting the value of art as a tool for healing and connection.
CORE VALUES
We believe that the act of making art is an essential form of self-care and self-discovery.
Our space welcomes all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. Everyone deserves access to creative tools and encouragement.
We foster collaboration and shared experiences that support emotional connection and a sense of belonging.
We honor the individual journey of artmaking, valuing exploration, expression, and reflection over perfection.
We are rooted in the belief that creativity supports emotional and physical wellness in everyday life and times of challenge.
OUR STORY
The Artmaking Space grew out of founder Maria Tonelli Smith’s lifelong belief in the power of creativity to bring people together and promote wellbeing. Before opening the studio, Maria spent over 15 years as an art director at Panache Designs, creating large-scale holiday décor programs for shopping centers across the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Her work also reached public spaces and hospitals through murals and community art projects, including installations at Georgia Tech, the W Hotel in Atlanta, and All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, FL. You can view Maria's website here!
In 2019, Maria was selected as a Piano Artist for the Sing for Hope project in New York City. This experience became a turning point—showing her how public art could inspire connection, healing, and joy. Motivated to explore this further, she earned her Master’s degree in Arts in Medicine from the University of Florida, focusing on how creative spaces can improve health and quality of life.
The Artmaking Space is the result of that journey: a welcoming place where art is for everyone—patients, caregivers, families, and community members—offering hands-on opportunities to create, connect, and experience the transformative power of the arts together.