This is one of my favorite places for "me" time. Emily just has a way with integrating play and art and making you feel at home. It is always hard for me to leave lol. This is therapy for me of the best kind. I grew up in a creative home and lost that spark for a few years but she has reignited that for me. Highly reccomend starting with a 1 on 1 art journaling session or one of her group workshops. Oh and the Couples Play Date was so much fun. We laughed until we cried! read more

The Playful Space - One on One Art Journaling - Art Classes Near Me - Bakersfield, California

Wow where to begin?! I attended an overnight retreat hosted by The Playful Space on the central coast a few weeks ago with an all women group. I only knew a couple of the ladies and was a bit nervous, excited, and looking forward to the immersive experience leading up to the event. Our host, Emily, not only made us feel welcome with her big smile kind nature, but encouraged us, and put us at ease so we could open up and share deeply personal experiences with one another. We created created fun artwork, swapped stories around the campfire, set goals, and released baggage. This was truly an incredible experience and I look forward to joining another TPS retreat in the future! If you're considering one of Emily's retreats DO IT! You will emerge feeling more creative, rejuvenated, and filled with love and good vibes! read more

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Emily is amazing! I've attended a few of the workshop series, a couple of the cocktail ones, a corporate style workshop, I'm not a mom and I had an opportunity to observe the mommy and me workshops and I have even attended a couple of the out of area retreats - it's safe to say I'm a BIG FAN. The Playful Space experience is incredibly well rounded, there are multi-layers of elements apart from the expected creative pieces. If creativity isn't your thing, no fear the events are for all types of personalities. The retreats were curated to provide the participants with such a unique and fulfilling experience. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND all Playful Space outings. You won't regret attending, trust me. Side Note: It's a given that you'll make a friend or two, don't hesitate attending solo. Sharing space with people that are passionate about similar things is totally the silver lining :) If you are one of those people that say, "I'm not creative" you'll be surprised what you'll walk away with. Bakersfield is lucky to have Emily and her passion for inspiration and teaching! read more

What a great spot!! Came here with my 3 grandchildren and had a wonderful time creating together. Highly recommend this place for a unique experience. read more

I have put off writing a review of the Create and connect retreat, bc I can't fully express what the retreat meant to me. It was everything. We started as a group of strangers and left as sisters. The retreat wasn't about the bond though, that was an unintentional gift. It was about healing, stepping out of your comfort zone, delving into creativity and finding your soul. The exercises were uncomfortable at times, but I'm so glad I pushed myself bc when I left there I felt renewed and a step closer to healing. Aside from that, the details of the event were icing on the cake, the accommodations were great, the homemade meals delicious and the location gorgeous. read more

Emily is such a wonderful light for other women and kids! I was very nervous for my first event that she did and the amount of help she provided me was unlike anything I've ever experienced before! The way Emily loves on women to remind them they have a light and a voice is so special. If you are on the fence of trying one of the events I promise you as someone who has crippling anxiety about new things it was and is something to do. She will help you feel safe and comfortable the entire time! She will keep you very engaged and excited by the way she is so engaged and excited to be. I love that the things Emily has you paint and draw are things that have meaning. She explains the why and the prompts so well and helps you get creative inside your own head and things to draw/pqint!! You can see and tell that she truly loves what she does and her "why" with doing this. I can't wait to go to many more of the events Emily will be doing! I am very excited to continue to connect and grow with Emily and her team! I promise you will love it. Go in with an open mind and heart and be ready to have fun and meet some wonderful women who are excited to have you there! read more

The Playful Space - Art Classes Near Me - Bakersfield, California

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The "Create + Connect" Retreat is a once in a lifetime opportunity! I signed up about 2 weeks before the event due to a cancelled trip/hotel received unexpectantly which propelled me to consider again this Retreat that I had cast to the backburner of "no" and yet still had a yearning for this very thing of creating, relationships, connections and sharing lots of laughter, pain and joy. Putting my hands into cold wet paint, while with my eyes closed, showed me a place of "silence" of silencing all those voices in our heads and not "quiet" as the weekend was filled with the sounds and sites of women chatting, crying and encouraging each other that made my heart and soul zing and soar! I did not want that to end. I was happy I was there, even in the super hard times of hearing what others were going through and thought I am exactly where I need to be and where God can and did use my hurts and joys to help others with some tools I had learned along through life. I felt deeply seen for ME and not judged. This is what heaven is and will be like. It is hard to articulate what I completely experienced and how I have been moved to consider things differently in my life. You need to go and take a risk and be okay with not knowing anyone which was exactly what I needed. There was no pretense or background and that made it even more safe. Do it for YOU and your family too! Creativity and Art are key to being human and compassionate souls and key to living each day well and in peace. Thank you "The Playful Space" and "The Sparkling Hippie" for creating a space for us to BE! Jules read more

I went on a retreat in April and it truly was a time to disconnect from the stressors of day to day live and focus on me. I think far to often our lives, weekends and vacations consist of running on the never ending hamster wheel, being triggered and not being able to be fully present for those we love. The connect and create retreat is challenging because you're forced to look at you insecurities, traumas and fears straight on, however this is done in a fun way through art, play, writing and bonding with others and what comes from it is beautiful growth, the ability to see your intentions in life more clearly and to be able to love yourself so you can feel fulfilled in life and give back to those that mean the most (including yourself). I would highly recommend to anyone in any stage of their self actualization process. It has been one of the best things I have done for myself! read more

Emily and I connected instantly from the moment we met! I have now attended multiple art workshops and even most recently her and The Sparkling Hippie's Create and Connect Women's Retreat. My experience every time is so hard to put into words. To be honest, it's magical, and even that just doesn't do it justice. If you are on the fence about attending an art workshop or retreat, just do what Emily says and cannonball in! You won't regret it, I promise! Emily does such an amazing job at making all of her attendees feel safe, comfortable, and heard. Each person starts the workshop maybe a little nervous or anxious, but by the end none of us want to leave! I have left each workshop not only with new friends, but a deeper connection to myself as well. read more

I have attended several events with The Playful Space! The Mama and Me playdates are so much fun! Great socialization for moms and kiddos. Also tons of fun activities the kids get to partake in. The Ladies Nights are a great way to have some quality time with your friends or meet some new ones. Emily helps you look inside yourself while having fun at the same time. I highly recommend The Playful Space!!!! read more

I took my kids to a playdate and it was top notch! Everything was so organized with SO many activities for my kids to explore. It was also great to meet and connect with other local parents. My kids had a great time and ask to back! I am also looking forward to doing an event for grown-ups too! read more

Loved my time with Emily, it was truly transformative! I know I'll be processing everything for some time. I always thought I wasn't "creative" but I realized on my weekend retreat it's more about what transpires internally during the process than it is what the final piece actually looks like. Thanks for sparking that in me and so much more, I carry everything I learned w my every day and I have enjoyed playing and finding creativity in my every day life! read more

Wow! What can I say other than truly amazing and transformational experience! I attended a women's create+connect retreat that Emily hosted at the central coast. It was such an incredible experience that was life changing. Emily made it super fun in allowing us to tap into our creative sides but also deeply personal by allowing us to connect as women on a personal level. There are things I am carrying with me from the retreat daily in my personal life that has allowed me therapeutic healing by tapping into my creative side. I look forward to taking another retreat from The Playful Space in the future! I highly recommend for all! Yes read more