TAMPA, Fla. — Creatives don’t let other creatives create alone. That philosophy helped launch Tampa’s Creatology Residency Week. It’s a week where artists, writers and content creators gather for workshops, networking and most importantly, wellness and mental health.
It’s a question many artists are faced with.
But in this space, the way an artist expresses themselves is embraced in a different way.
“Just like my shirt says, creatives don’t let creatives create alone,” Creatology CEO Janelle “J’nelle” Richardson said.
Just like the music selections, Richardson was intentional when she created Creatology.
“Creatology is an organization where we provide different tools and resources for creatives so they can see the value in themselves and how we go about doing that is we have a residency week now,” she said.
Musicians, poets and painters will all come together to network, attend workshops and face a topic that hits home for Richardson.
“A few years ago, I was actually diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, and I did not realize how much that affected me and my music and the things that I was doing. So, I know a lot of creatives are growing through the same thing,” she said.
She’s encouraging the people who pour their hearts into their art to come create, connect and heal.
“I want creatives to remember that you do not have to do this all alone. Secondly, you are valuable, that you are needed in this space, and thirdly, you have a place where you can get your cup filled and refilled over and over again,” Richardson said.
Something she’s hoping will be felt in a song, on a canvas or spoken word.
Creatology Week runs from July 6-11. They are currently raising money to be able to provide an award a total of $4,000 in scholarships for two to three deserving creatives.