About Heartwork Studios
Welcome!
We are Carissa Sorensen & Laura Pahlas.
Together, we created Heartwork Studios. We originally connected as artist-moms then quickly discovered not only a shared reverence for the beautiful, healing power of art and sacred creativity, but also a shared vision of how to bring more of this much needed power into the realm of every day life via workshops, retreats, and soul-centered art-making experiences for artists of all abilities and ages.
As artists and educators, we value
Sacred Creativity
Whole-heartedness
Inclusion/acceptance
Compassion
Imagination
Gratitude
Our vision & purpose
As facilitators: Is to guide participants into connection with themselves, each other, and the interconnectedness of all life through creativity, art making, and playful exploration. Through artistic expression, we awaken curiosity, cultivate joy, and celebrate the beauty of our shared humanity.
As artists: Through an intuitive, embodied process, we translate our experiences, our emotions, and our observations of life into works that align with our core values exploring themes of connection, transformation, and meaning.
Our offerings
As working artists we offer collections of original works, prints, and handmade items. In the studio, we offer a variety of process-based art experiences that encourage outward expression and also nurture inner wellbeing. These experiences come in the form of workshops, classes, drop-in studio sessions, small group and private art sessions, retreats, and online courses.
-
Carissa Sorensen
Artist, Co-Founder
Carissa is an artist, mother, and mentor who finds deep growth and healing in her creative work. Understanding that creating art is vital to her well-being, Carissa seeks to support others in finding their own creative voice and the joyful healing that comes with it. A graduate of Ripon College, Carissa has a degree in psychobiology (with an emphasis on animal behavior) and a minor in studio art. She began her professional career as a certified horse trainer. Through the course of learning from and with these incredible animals, Carissa has discovered a passion for helping others tap into their own personal power and discover the potential for positive change in their lives. Now, Carissa is excited to offer classes, one-on-one sessions, and workshops that combine her knowledge of psychology, spirituality/energy, art (and even some horsemanship!) that will help you quiet your mind, tune into your inner voice, and create positive change in your life.
-
Laura Pahlas
Artist, Co-Founder
Laura is an artist, mother, and art educator. Growing up among multiple generations of artists, art and creativity has always been central to her life. This led her to pursue a degree in fine art with an emphasis in painting which she earned at the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh. She later decided to return to school to earn a second fine arts degree in Art Education.Over the past 14 years, Laura has taught and exhibited her work in a wide array of settings. She spent much of her teaching career as the art teacher at a primary school in southwest Wisconsin. Laura found that the young artists in her classroom day after day were truly her greatest teachers. They helped her develop an astute sense of what children need in order to access their full creative potential. She designed a curriculum and a carefully curated classroom environment that allowed students independence and autonomy just like artists in their own art studio. Over the years, she realized that children and adults need basically the same support when it comes to nurturing the creative process. Laura brings this passion and knowledge to all the classes and creative experiences she offers.