About Us
Your Creative Refuge on the Oregon Coast
Serene Abundance Studio Space (aka "SASS") is the Central Oregon Coast's only gallery and creative center focused on arts and healing.
SASS was founded by creative folks, for creative folks, and for those whose personal or professional goals incorporate a creative approach. We value the benefits of "art in community", such as the synergistic effect of being around other artists, learning from one another, enhanced thought processes and ideas sparked from exposure to others' work, and the ways in which creative pursuits, collaboration and conversation increases mutual appreciation, and brings people together in constructive ways.
Our staff, instructors and volunteers have backgrounds in a variety of areas, such as: fine and commercial arts, digital technology, nonprofits, education, community development, art and ecology, art and healing, and expressive arts therapies, among other things.
We encourage folks to drop by for a visit during hours we're open to the public, chat, have a cup of tea or coffee, browse works by our wonderful Studio Gallery artists, and learn more about what we do.
Please also check out our "EVENTS" page for a current list of classes, workshops and activities, or our "SHOP" page to view and shop our collection of original artworks, books and gifts. If you're looking for accessible community space for working on your own creative project, or to host your own gathering, we've got you covered on our "CLASSES & WORKSPACE" page.
Have an idea for a workshop, presentation or event? We'd be happy to discuss it, and even help plan with you. Call or email us at least two weeks in advance of your planned event for best results.
Mission, Vision & Values
The mission of Serene Abundance Studio Space is to promote creativity as a means of healing, inspiration and personal growth.
Our vision is to provide a cultural hub that can serve as a living example of the type of art, expression and ways of being & communicating that reflect this mission.
Here at our Studio, we provide the time, space, tools, resources, and access to learning opportunities for residents and visitors to focus on their projects, discover themselves, gain new skills, develop their artistic voice and vision, share and create together, nurture resiliency and creative problem-solving abilities, build bridges between viewpoints, cultures, and generations, make new friends, and foster community.
SASS was created by Serena Appel, LPC, AT-R, who has a background in fine and performing arts, creative writing, spiritual exploration, and Art Therapy. As such, the Studio abides by the code of ethics and values, as set forth by the American Art Therapy Association.
You may read this statement by visiting: https://arttherapy.org/values-statement/
What Are Expressive, Visionary, and Art and Healing? How are these different?
These terms describe a certain approach to art making or creative activity. This may be intentional on the part of the creator, or it may just be a way of classifying their method or experience of art making.
The International Expressive Arts Therapy Association defines it as follows:
"The expressive arts are all about using different art forms — think drawing, dancing, music, writing, and drama — to help people feel better, understand themselves, and grow.
Rather than use a single art form (such as the visual arts), expressive arts practitioners call on many different forms of art, thoughtfully connecting them to one another to go deeper into the experience.
This integrated and intermodal approach is a uniquely powerful way of communicating through creativity — unlocking all of the senses to bring about transformation."
Art and Healing, or Art for Healing, is a way to describe the ways in which people naturally turn to art making and all forms of creative expression to cope with grief and loss, traumatic events, rites of passage and life events, chronic pain, mental illness and more. Humans have used creativity as a way to make sense of, and cope with, life experiences for as long as we've been around. In modern times, individuals, professional artists, teachers, health care workers, spiritual educators and leaders, and community organizers have all learned to harness the healing power of the arts to help themselves and others.
The Visionary Arts approach has been an outlet for those striving to bring new insights, concepts and discoveries to the world for generations, and has now evolved into a contemporary arts movement.
Why Visionary Art Is Important - Artists Talk Magazine
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Studio Code of Conduct
The following are our expectations for all Studio staff, volunteers, visitors, artists, vendors, contractors, instructors, and anyone else who may be on premises, or acting on behalf of the interests of SASS:
Non-Violence. This includes talking and behaving in ways that promote peaceful solutions to challenges or conflicts. Physical harm, or threat of harm, to people, pets or property will not be tolerated in the space. Verbal/psychological and emotional aggression, including name calling, intimidation, harassment, bullying, dominating behaviors, or attempts to force or coerce others by verbal or nonverbal means, are also not acceptable.
Respect Others. This includes striving to treat others as THEY wish to be treated, and honoring others' reasonable needs, limits and requests.
Respect the Space. Take only what tools/materials/space you need, and save the rest for others. Clean up after yourself (if you don't know how to clean up art or craft tools, please ask staff/volunteers!), keep noise/activity to a reasonable level that doesn't interfere with others' use of the space. Refrain from acting or talking in a way that could interfere with our normal business operations, including how you use and interact with online aspect of the Studio.
Acceptance. This includes welcoming and appreciating people from all different backgrounds, viewpoints, ages, identities, ability levels, and beliefs, and appreciating what they have to offer.
Assume Positive Intent. This includes giving others the benefit of the doubt, asking and getting information before making assumptions about others.
Communication. We promote the use of effective communication, negotiation and compromise between individuals or groups as a way to gain understanding, avoid or de-escalate issues and conflicts, and to request needs/desires or set boundaries. We strive to create a supportive environment where you can feel safe expressing your needs or concerns.
Complaints. If you have an issue, complaint or concern that cannot be resolved directly with an individual or group, please bring complaints to the attention of Studio admin, and someone will follow up with you as soon as available. Send your complaint in writing to: inbox@sereneabundancemagic.com
Emergencies. Please bring any urgent/emergent situations to the immediate attention of Studio staff or on site volunteer.
NOTE: Failure to follow these guidelines may result in limitation on your use of the Studio space, up to and including immediate removal or online blocking or banning, depending on severity of the situation. We reserve the right to refuse service in cases where this may pose a hazard, or lead to interference in, or disruption of, our normal business operations.
