Thank You for an Incredible Sunshine Coast Art Crawl 2025

💛 What an unforgettable weekend!

From Friday’s kickoff party to Sunday Funday, our space was filled with laughter, conversation, and creativity. Thank you to everyone who stopped by Mad Park Art during the Sunshine Coast Art Crawl 2025 — whether you browsed, crafted, painted, or simply shared a smile, you made it special.

🎨 A Weekend of Art & Connection

Over the three days, our studio came alive with energy:

Visitors joined in Damien’s Portrait Paint Battle on Saturday, cheering as artists went head-to-head bringing faces to life in color and motion.

Sunday’s Funday was a heart-warming finish, with families, friends, and makers of all ages creating together.

This weekend reminded us exactly why we do what we do — to connect people through creativity and community.

We were also thrilled to have the students from Madeira Park Elementary School participate by each creating a piece of art for our community collage wall. One of the weekend’s most touching moments was seeing all the kids visit the studio together to view their creations — a beautiful photo captured the backs of their heads as they admired the wall, perfectly symbolizing the next generation of artists.

🖼️ A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Artists

A huge thank-you to our founders, instructors, and the incredible guest artists who showcased their work:

Ron Doucet, Janna Vallee of Everlea Yarns, Gayle Brawn, Dallis Warren of Walking Bear Woman Designs, and Liz Haines.

Your talent, passion, and generosity helped make our first Art Crawl as a venue truly shine.

We also want to recognize the many other artists who made this weekend even more special:

• Megan Durrant, with her stunning watercolours and linocut prints.

• Noemi Kozikowska, a multi-talented artist whose show-stopping canvas of a forest fire drew many admirers.

• Brent Vandenbroek, a beloved local artist who passed away in 2023. Brent was self-taught and worked across many mediums — abstract, nature, wildlife, landscapes, and portraits — creating whatever inspired him. He loved the Art Crawl, and it was an honour to showcase his work and celebrate his legacy.

• Shari Stephens, whose crochet creatures and handmade jewellery were a huge hit with visitors (you might also recognize her friendly face from the local IGA!).

And of course, our own founders’ creations — Damien’s acrylic on canvas, Angela’s nature photography, Wednesday’s crocheting and felted miniatures, and Stacy’s beadwork and handmade bags — proudly represented the heart and soul of Mad Park Art.

One highlight of the weekend was Janna’s Community Scarf Project, where visitors were invited to add their own woven strand to a growing tapestry. This collaborative piece will be auctioned off to raise money for local Search and Rescue, continuing the spirit of connection and contribution beyond the event itself.

Our Next Step in the Sunshine Coast Art Scene

This year marked an exciting turning point for Mad Park Art. We’re expanding to include:

• Dedicated studio, gallery, and artisan retail spaces

• A full kitchen and mobility-friendly bathroom for added comfort and accessibility

These upgrades will let us host even more workshops, events, and artist collaborations in the months ahead.

🌟 With Gratitude 🌟

From the bottom of our hearts — thank you for showing up, creating with us, and supporting local art. Together, we’re building something beautiful right here in Madeira Park: a space where everyone can explore, learn, and connect through creativity.

Stay tuned for new classes, workshops, and community projects coming soon!

Getting Ready for the Sunshine Coast Art Crawl 2025

The Sunshine Coast Art Crawl is almost here — and this year, Mad Park Art is stepping into the spotlight as an official stop on the tour!
Join us October 17–19, 2025 at Tour Stop #178, located at 4982 Gonzales Road in Madeira Park, between the Pender Harbour Fire Hall and the Post Office.

This three-day celebration of creativity is your chance to experience the vibrant local art scene, meet our talented founders and guest artists, and be part of a community that’s growing in color, energy, and inspiration.

Big News: Mad Park Art Is Expanding

We’re thrilled to share that our space is growing! The renovation expansion will include:

• A dedicated studio space for classes and workshops

• A new art gallery and artisan retail space to showcase local talent

• Improved comforts, including a full kitchen and a mobility-friendly bathroom

This next step represents our commitment to becoming a creative hub for the Sunshine Coast — where art, community, and connection collide.

Featured Artists & Makers

In addition to our founders, you’ll find works by a lineup of inspiring guest artists and makers:

• Ron Doucet

• Janna Vallee of Everlea Yarns

• Gayle Brawn

• Dallis Warren of Walking Bear Woman Designs

• Liz Haines
  (More guest artists to be announced!)

Plus, we’ll be featuring a tile collage created by students from Pender Harbour Elementary School — a beautiful reflection of creativity across generations.

Weekend Schedule

Friday, October 17
We’re kicking things off with our Art Crawl Party from 5–7 p.m., followed by a Friends & Family Launch Party from 7–10 p.m. Come meet the artists, connect with the community, and celebrate our growing creative space.

Saturday, October 18
Don’t miss the Portrait Paint Battle from 12–5 p.m., led by in-house artist Damien Hendley. Watch artists go head-to-head painting each other’s faces — with prizes for creativity and flair!

Sunday, October 19
Wrap up the weekend with Sunday Funday, a relaxed day of hands-on crafting and connection. Join in a creative activity, chat with artists, or just soak up the positive energy that fills the studio.

How to Find Us

Follow the signs from the highway at the junction of Madeira Park Road. Continue past the community hall and the elementary school — you’ll find us nestled between the Pender Harbour Fire Hall and the Post Office.

Join the Celebration

The Sunshine Coast Art Crawl is more than just an event — it’s a chance to celebrate local creativity, connection, and the beauty of making something by hand. Whether you’re here to browse, buy, or create, you’ll find inspiration waiting at every turn.

Come be part of the magic at Mad Park Art — where creativity and community come alive.

Discover the Joy of Acrylic Pour - aug 30th

Looking for a creative experience that’s fun, colorful, and completely beginner-friendly? Join us on Saturday, August 30, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Mad Park Art in Madeira Park, BC for our Acrylic Pour Drop-In session.

This event is all about letting go, playing with color, and seeing where creativity takes you. With acrylic pouring, there are no mistakes — just mesmerizing patterns and vibrant works of art that unfold right before your eyes.

What Is Acrylic Pouring?

Acrylic pour painting is a fluid art technique where you mix acrylic paints with a pouring medium, then tilt, swirl, or layer them onto a canvas. The result? Flowing designs, marbled effects, and one-of-a-kind pieces that you simply can’t replicate twice. It’s an art form that’s as much about the process as the finished product.

Whether you’re a first-timer or you’ve tried it before, acrylic pouring is the perfect creative escape. You don’t need to be an artist — you just need a willingness to play with paint and see what happens.

Why Join This Drop-In Event?

• No experience required – Anyone can do it, from complete beginners to seasoned makers.

• Affordable and accessible – Only $5 for drop-in access, with most tools included. Some specialty materials may have a small additional cost.

• Quality time with friends and family – Bring someone along, or come solo and meet other creative people in the community.

• Take home your own artwork – Leave with a one-of-a-kind piece that you poured, tilted, and created yourself.

At Mad Park Art, we believe art is about more than the end result — it’s about connection, fun, and the joy of making something new.

Event Details

Event: Acrylic Pour Drop-In
Date: Saturday, August 30, 2025
Time: 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Mad Park Art, 4982 Gonzales Road, Madeira Park, BC
Cost: $5 (most tools included; some materials may have additional costs)
Note: Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.

How to Join

💡 Pre-register to guarantee your spot, or simply drop in if you’re feeling spontaneous. Either way, we’d love to have you join us for this colorful, creative afternoon.

Meet the Founders of Mad Park Art

The Heart Behind Mad Park Art

Mad Park Art was built on the simple belief that creativity has the power to bring people together. At its center are four passionate community-builders — Angela Stearns, Stacy Holt, Wednesday Lachance, and Damien — each bringing unique skills, experiences, and passions that make the studio more than just a space to make art. Together, they form the foundation of Mad Park Art, shaping it into a hub for connection, inspiration, and creativity on the Sunshine Coast.

Angela Stearns

Angela’s creativity spans film production, photography, horticulture, and children’s programming. After moving to Pender Harbour, she dreamed of a space where people could drop in, experiment with crafts, and connect without needing to buy every tool themselves. That vision became Mad Park Art. Today, she brings her love of photography, music, and working with children into the studio, inspiring others to explore their creativity.

Stacy Holt

With over 40 years in the apparel industry, Stacy has worked with world-renowned brands like Lululemon and Arc’teryx, teaching advanced fitting systems, CAD pattern-making, and 3D prototyping. She brings a wealth of textile knowledge to Mad Park Art, along with a love for beaded jewelry, woven bands, and wearable art inspired by the Sunshine Coast. Stacy’s passion is helping others discover joy through creativity, showing that making is for everyone, not just professionals.

Wednesday Lachance

For Wednesday, art has always been a safe and inspiring place — from childhood memories of watching Bob Ross with her dad to award-winning projects in high school. At Mad Park Art, she shares this love of creativity with others, offering warmth and playfulness that makes the studio inviting. Her passions include miniatures, polymer clay, felted plants, and crochet — a craft she mastered later in life with remarkable dedication.

Damien

Details about Damien’s story and artistic journey will be added soon, but his role as a co-founder is already woven into the fabric of Mad Park Art. Like the other founders, he brings energy, creativity, and vision that help keep the space thriving.

A Shared Vision

Though each founder has a unique background, they are united by a common goal: making creativity accessible to everyone. Their collective energy is what makes Mad Park Art more than just a studio — it’s a place where community and creativity collide.

Drop-In Studio Hours: for spontaneous Creativity

What Are Drop-In Studio Hours?

Mad Park Art’s Drop-In Studio Hours are designed for flexibility, fun, and community. For just $5, you can walk in, sit down with family or friends, and enjoy hands-on creativity using the tools available in the studio. Most tools are included in the fee, with some materials available at a small additional cost. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult, making this a family-friendly experience.
Check the event calendar for all days and times.

Why People Love It

Drop-In Studio Hours are perfect for anyone who wants to:

• Spend quality time with family and friends

• Try new crafts without needing to buy every tool themselves

• Explore creativity in a relaxed, supportive environment

• Connect with others in the community through shared artistic experiences

There’s no long-term commitment or pressure — just an open invitation to play with creativity and leave with something uniquely your own.

Making Creativity Accessible

By keeping costs low and doors open, Mad Park Art ensures that creativity remains accessible to everyone in Madeira Park and across the Sunshine Coast. These sessions remind us that art isn’t about perfection — it’s about expression, connection, and the joy of making.

Why Mad Park Art Exists: Our Story and Our Why

Inspired by Place and Tradition

Mad Park Art is rooted in gratitude for its home on the Sunshine Coast, within the swíya of the shíshálh Nation. This land has long been a place of creativity and connection, where artistry is woven into traditions, community, and daily life. Inspired by this legacy, Mad Park Art was created to continue the practice of using creativity as a bridge between people.

Carrying the Legacy Forward

From traditional clothing, adornments, and tools of the past to today’s modern crafts and art forms, creative expression has always been a way for people to connect. Mad Park Art continues this legacy by offering a welcoming space where anyone can experiment, learn, and share. Our goal is not only to provide tools and workshops but to make art accessible to all — no matter age, skill level, or background.

A Place for Everyone

Mad Park Art exists so that anyone in the community can discover the joy of making something with their own hands. Whether it’s through drop-in sessions, workshops, or special events, the studio is designed to be inclusive, supportive, and inspiring. For families, it’s a chance to spend quality time together. For individuals, it’s an opportunity to relax, connect, and grow. For everyone, it’s a reminder that art is not about perfection — it’s about connection.

Our Why

At its core, Mad Park Art’s purpose is simple: to create a space where creativity and community collide. We exist to spark inspiration, foster connection, and carry forward the tradition of art as a way to strengthen community ties on the Sunshine Coast.