Press Release
The Magical Atelier | Press Release - For Immediate Release
Post-Covid World: Creative Solutions
Art acts as a bridge and heals traumas for children, refugees, and communities.
Photograph by Yasamine June
Photograph by Lorena Mendez-Quiroga
THE MAGICAL ATELIER | GRAND OPENING - Saturday June 26, 2021 from 1-6pm (Media check in 2:30pm)
Address: 2802 Pico Blvd. #100, Santa Monica, CA 90405
Press Contact: Yasamine June email & Lorena Mendez-Quiroga mobile
Press Photos Folder: click here
In our post-covid world, we need safe, creative spaces for children and families alike. The pandemic has left many feeling isolated, and with a lingering sense of uncertainty and burn-out. Our studio offers a space for healing, self-expression, and healthy social engagement, especially for children. We exist to inspire, empower and show respect to children and their work, and to promote their well-being through creativity.
Southern California has many refugee children and families, who have experienced traumas prior to the pandemic. The challenges of assimilation, healing, and connecting are vastly improved with the cathartic process of art-making. Our studio strives to build a bridge between locals and more newly arrived community members, and to make all feel welcome and engaged in positive ways.
For Jessy Elena Morales, our founder, the pandemic acted as motivation to create the art space start-up she had always dreamed of. A school teacher with 25+ years of experience, a mother, and a master’s degree in Psychology, Jessy participated in one of El Camino College’s business start-up programs. With the knowledge offered by her mentors, the support and encouragement of fellow community members and the active involvement of her family, Jessy took a leap of faith and established The Magical Atelier. She sees this space, which the community made possible, as a means to share the wonders of art, inspiration and support back with the community.
In Jessy’s words “In the field of Early Childhood Development, I focus on the benefits of doing open-ended art, which many schools lack. Art helps children in all domains, social, emotional, cognitive, thinking, hand-eye coordination, large motor skills, and creative development... Parents can bring their children and see how crucial it is for their development to do this type of approach to art.”
The Magical Atelier is proudly independent, Latina-owned, and female-led.
Related News Coverage | Featured Quotes
“The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis has hit children on multiple fronts. Many have experienced social isolation during lockdowns, family stress, a breakdown of routine, and anxiety about the virus. School closures, remote teaching, and learning interruptions have set back many at school.”
— The Wall Street Journal, view NYU Langone summary article + view full article