Heartwork Studios
a process-based art studio in the heart of downtown Ripon, WI owned and operated by artists Carissa Sorensen & Laura Pahlas
Welcome!
Heartwork Studios is both home to our own creative work as artists and also a community space where we offer workshops, classes, and events that celebrate process over product and the fact that creativity is innate and sacred.
It is our goal to create and foster a safe, welcoming community space that inspires all who enter to make meaningful connections with one another and with themselves through a process we call Heartwork, which we define as…
The playful creative practice that quiets the mind, connects us to our own inner wisdom, and guides us towards healing, transformation, and a more authentic way of life.
We’re so glad you’re here!
Carissa & Laura
Our Fall 2025 Schedule
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NEW! Weekend Open Studio Sessions
Fri. Sept. 5 6:00-9:00 pm
Sat. Sept 6 11:00 am-4:00 pm
Fri. Oct. 3 6:00-9:00 pm
Sat. Oct. 4 11:00 am-3:30 pm
Sun. Oct. 19 11:00 am-3:00 pm
Sun. Nov. 9 3:00-8:00 pm
Come unwind, connect, and create in our cozy space. Explore our supply buffet and prompts or bring a project you’re working on. This is also a great time to pop in and shop our latest original artwork, prints, stickers, and other creative gifts. $15 for a single pass or check out our punch card options. Save your spot at the link below. Drop-ins welcome too.
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Tuesday/Thursday Open Studio Sessions
Tue/Thur all month 10:00-2:00 pm
We will continue to have our regularly scheduled open hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Come enjoy some open studio exploration or do some shopping. Watch our social media pages for any changes to the schedule. Open studio is $15 per person at the door or buy a punch card. Pre-register at the link below or drop-in the day of.
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Creating Comfort: Art Journaling Practices for Challenging Times
Sun. Sept. 28 11:00 am-3:00 pm
Sat. Dec. 13 9:00am-1:00pm
This is the next level of our art journaling offerings. The first being Art Journaling for Mind, Body, Spirit which teaches the basics of art journaling and creativity as a wellness practice.
Creating for Comfort will delve a bit deeper into the healing aspect of these practices and how to use them with intention during challenging times. This is a class intended to benefit anyone whose life has been touched by sadness, grief, or loss either on a personal level or in terms of the collective grief we are all learning to hold with compassion and hope. Best for ages 17+ Pre-registration required.
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Art Journaling for Mind, Body, & Spirit @ Studio Om, Oshkosh
Sat. Oct. 25 11:00-3:00
We are once again collaborating with the amazing Pam Anderson, owner of Studio Om in Oshkosh. Pam is a trained music therapist and yoga instructor whose heart centered methods of teaching yoga and connecting with students meld beautifully with our flagship Art Journaling workshop. We are very excited to bring this class to her beautiful space. Be ready for nurturing creative exploration as well as gentle movement. No yoga or art experience is required. All abilities welcome!
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Painting for Joy
Sat. Nov. 1 10:00am-12:30pm
(Special on-the-road edition at The Driftless Historium in Mount Horeb, WI)
Sun. Nov. 9 1:00-3:00 pm
Join us for two hours of process-based painting!
(We’ll be open after this session for open studio as well so you can enjoy further exploration)
We’ll be showing you a super accessible and fun method of painting that is impossible to do wrong and is guaranteed to spark joy!
We’ve tested this statement and found it to be completely true time and again. We can’t wait to share it with you!
Pre-registration is appreciated. $40 per person.
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Christmas in the Village
Sat. Nov. 15 11:00 am-5:00 pm
We will be set up for Open Studio with several holiday/winter themed creative prompts. This is also a great time to get a start on your holiday gift purchases. Most downtown stores will be open for extended shopping hours all weekend plus lots of holiday fun including a visit from Santa on the village green.
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Open Studio + Extended Holiday Shopping Hours
Fri. Dec. 5 3:00-8:00 pm
Fri. Dec. 12 6:00-9:00
Sun. Dec. 14 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Sun. Dec. 21 12:00-5:00 pm
We’ll be offering several chances in December to come in and create and/or shop. We may be biased, but we highly recommend giving the gift of art this holiday season! We will have many wonderful, unique, and affordable gift options including small original paintings, prints, stickers, more. We also offer gift cards and studio punch cards to be used for open studio sessions. We both offer commission paintings as well…pet portraits, family portraits, etc.
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Additional Events
Sat. Sept. 13 4:00-6:00 pm
Artist Reception for Laura’s upcoming exhibit of the latest oil paintings in her series, “Wayfinders” on display at The Driftless Historium in downtown Mount Horeb, WI. The show will run from Aug. 29-Nov. 4
Thur. Sept. 18 6:00-9:00 pm
Join Carissa at this year’s Art’s & Crafts, a special fundraiser event for The Boys and Girls Club of the Tri County Area. This is a one-of-a-kind art gallery experience where creativity collides with the minds of young artists. This unique Arts & Crafts event will feature artwork jointly created by youth and local artists. While you view the artwork, enjoy signature crafts at Knuth Brewing Company’s Blossom & Hops Event Center. Arts & Crafts will include an auction art gallery, craft cocktails, and live music. All proceeds benefit the Club.
Painted With Joy Collection
Introducing our
When we discovered what we now teach as our “Painting for Joy method,” we very quickly knew it was something we needed to share. We started offering monthly Painting for Joy sessions and also continued the practice for ourselves as we were both needing a new and different way to break out of our usual painting routines. In the process, we created many, many small little paintings that just felt so joyful to look at. Some even felt like little worlds. We decided to finish them up and adhere them to sweet little boards. Together, we have lovingly named them our “Painted With Joy Collection.”
Carissa’s latest collection “Skybound” is a series of mixed media collage paintings inspired by birds and the symbolic messages they carry for humankind.
Our Latest Work
This spring, Laura released two new collections of experimental small works on paper. Both her series Radical Joy and Where the Wild Waits are available to view and purchase on her website.
