By Sharon. W. Kiburi
Nairobi, Kenya: In our fast-paced world, where the constant hustle and bustle can leave us feeling depleted, art serves as a rejuvenating refuge. It provides a haven where we can find comfort, inspiration, and a restored sense of equilibrium.
Colette Doyle, a firm believer in the universality of creativity, asserts that every individual possesses this innate quality. While some may question their creative abilities solely because they cannot draw, Colette emphasizes that creativity manifests itself through various unique skills and talents.
Hailing from Ireland, Colette has devoted her life to working and traveling throughout Africa, especially in Kenya. Her unwavering commitment to her work in Kenya has spanned over a decade. She divides her time between Ireland and Kenya, dedicating her energy and resources to her cause. For the past seven years, she has been the driving force behind the ‘Utu Foundation.’ This non-profit organization has relentlessly worked in collaboration with two schools in Mukuru kwa Njenga.
“I have been traveling to Nairobi frequently for quite some time. I find it challenging to meet new people in Nairobi. I have had friends come and go, and I always hear the same things from others,” elaborated Colette.
Colette expresses her dilemma in meeting new people by saying, “Where do you meet people? It always seems to be out in the club, drinking, or something to do with going out and partying. And I love creating stuff. I love making jewelry, knitting, and drawing.”
As remote work becomes the norm, maintaining social connections has become increasingly challenging. My husband and I, while spending significant time at home, have found joy in various creative activities such as candle-making, drawing, and coloring.
One day, in a reflective moment, Colette asked her husband, “Would it be cool to do our creative work in a place where we can meet new people? People who are also interested in creating and who, like me, are just eager to get out of the house and connect with others in a creative space where we can channel our inner creativity.”
Inspired by a captivating discussion about the significance of a collaborative space for creative individuals to gather, work, and establish connections, Collette embarked on a bold experiment to validate her hypothesis.
“I put statements seeking like-minded individuals in three or four WhatsApp groups I am in, and I was pretty shocked at how quickly people were interested in a very busy metropolitan Nairobi.”
She found the perfect spot for the planned meet-up at a restaurant in Noir Gala. It is serene and very accommodating. “The fact that one has to walk through the Art Gala to get to the restaurant spurs one’s creativity, or at least puts one in a creative mood,” expressed Colette.
“I wanted to start a creative club because I hoped to bring people together in a more relaxed setting. I wanted to create a space where people could make friends, have fun, and unwind from work, promoting mindfulness in the middle of the week rather than just focusing on weekend parties.”
At the inaugural meeting of the creative club, I was astounded by the unexpected turnout. “Initially, I had anticipated an intimate gathering consisting solely of my husband, a handful of friends, and myself. However, I was pleasantly surprised to witness a diverse crowd of individuals drawn to this opportunity. The club provided a vibrant platform for self-expression, fostering new friendships, relaxation, and respite from work, all without breaking the bank” she says.
The Creative Club was launched with its first event on July 3rd, 2022, and has since had eight successful gatherings. “The meetup by design is scheduled for Wednesday to offer some therapeutic breaks from the everyday hustle and tussle,” explained Collecte. The activities included writing prompts, coloring, drawing, networking with fellow members, or simply working in a peaceful environment with soft music playing in the background.
The space is free to use, although people often purchase a drink, tea, or snack. This allows them to sit and socialize with others with similar interests, diverse backgrounds, and career paths.
“I enjoyed the laid-back atmosphere, where there’s no pressure for forced networking”, noted Colette.
In addition, Colette stated, I spend a lot of time traveling, and it would be cool to have something like this in every country in the world: a place where people can drop in and make friends, whether they are on a business trip in an unfamiliar place or just traveling for fun. “The goal is to grow it into an international club,” she says.
Anastacia Nanguri, who attended the Creatives Club meetings, said the meetup was terrific; she loved the drawing, which was very therapeutic.
Her vision is to materialize an event that offers a platform for individuals to explore their creativity. This event would encompass a diverse range of activities, engaging workshops, and an opportunity to acquire one-of-a-kind handcrafted items from local artisans.
Moreover, participants who discover a particular affinity for specific activities during the event would have the opportunity to enroll in subsequent workshops for further exploration and development of their newfound interests.
