Workshopping Magic

hotstuffstudioseb
Apr 21
3 min read

This project pushed us to think bigger, collaborate deeper, and expand what we thought was possible. And trust us—this is just the beginning!

Artwork by Hot Stuff Studios workshop participant

Have you ever wanted to be in multiple places at once?

When our client first inquired about hosting FOUR Hot Stuff Studios workshops......

at FOUR different worksites....

across the Bay Area.....

ALL on the same time and date, we were faced with a decision: Miss out on what could be a rewarding growth opportunity OR develop the superhuman ability known as "multipresence" (being multiple places simultaneously). After weighing the available options for all of 3 seconds, we decided to do the latter.

No infinity stones or tragic backstories needed.

Here's how we did it:

Step 1: Clarity and Communication

Using our absolute favorite workshop booking platform Classbento, we were able to sustain an easy dialogue with the client. We learned about our potential client's goals for the simultaneous events, created a custom invoice, and were able to complete billing all in one place. DONE!

We HIGHLY recommend Classbento to independent teaching artists like us and folks responsible for planning their next group activity session or retreat. Signing up is super easy! Here's a link to get you started with our Hot Stuff Studios referral code. It gives teachers a $150 bonus on your first booking btw: https://classbento.com/teach?ri=21392

Step 2: Coordination and Community

Tapping into our expansive network of local, queer, BIPOC, and disabled working artists we teamed up with two experienced arts facilitators: Somer Taylor and Jeanette Alanis to bring the client's vision to life. Bringing in Somer and Jeanette included confirming availability, rates of pay, and travel logistics. Working with Somer and Jeanette wasn’t just about logistics though—it was about ensuring representation, expertise, and creative excellence at every location.

Bringing on Somer and Jeanette to help us see this project through represents significant milestones for Dru and I as business owners! We got to create a new role, Creativity Coach. This marks a major milestone for Hot Stuff Studios, proving our ability to grow Oakland’s creative workforce with integrity, impact, and values that we can proudly stand behind. Expanding our team with Creativity Coaches means more opportunities for local artists to thrive—while ensuring every event carries our signature spark.

Step 3: Source Material Creation

Using your favorite web-based graphic design software's favorite web-based graphic design software, Adobe Express, we put together a branded presentation for the client and their team of site coordinators. This way everyone on both sides knew what to expect on event day. This meeting was informative for both parties and allowed us to get excited about their upcoming workshops together.

For our Creativity Coaches, we created numerous resource materials and visual aids that were compiled into a 20-page project brief that laid out every bit of information that each facilitator may want to know during the event which included.

Step 4: Making magic happen

We've made it to the day of the event! Our amazing facilitators Jeanette and Somer were greeted at our home-based Oakland studio by freshly packed bins filled expertly with every bit of art supply needed to service their sites. Over fresh sandos and crisp salad, we gathered around the dining table, mapping out the final details before setting off. Though we were spread across the SF Bay, we moved as one—each facilitator carrying their unique spark of creativity to their site.