We had the good fortune of connecting with Tracey Redman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tracey, We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work. What was your thought process behind starting your business? 
It’s disheartening to see art classes for kids disappearing from schools. When did we decide art wasn’t essential? As humans, we’re naturally playful, and art is one of the purest forms of that play, where we learn and express ourselves through creativity. In today’s fast-paced world, kids are overloaded with activities, yet creativity through art often takes a backseat. I truly believe that art shapes confident, creative thinkers. With the world becoming more digitally connected, hands-on activities and physical movement are getting pushed aside. That’s why I think art and play are more important than ever, for both kids and adults. Process art, especially, is such a beautiful approach. It’s not about the final product, it’s about the journey. It’s freeing, no limits, no fear of mess, just pure creative expression, which is exactly what these kids need more of.
Social impact: How does your business help the community or the world?
Art + Play brings families and communities together through creativity, while fostering emotional expression, confidence, and imagination in the next generation. By introducing kids to process art, I believe we help them grow into creative, confident young adults with stronger problem-solving and critical thinking skills. As both children and adults dive into artistic activities, they also build empathy and cultural appreciation, which strengthens our communities and promotes inclusivity. The long-term goal of my business is to continuously support young artists, with the hope of cultivating a more vibrant, innovative, and culturally rich society where diverse voices are celebrated, and creativity sparks positive change.

Risk taking: how do you think about risk, what role has taking risks played in your life/career? 
I’ve always believed that real growth happens when you step outside your comfort zone and challenge yourself. While it can be intimidating, it’s through those bold moves that you build confidence, learn new skills, and often find new opportunities. When things don’t go as planned, I don’t see it as failure; I see it as a chance to learn and grow. These leaps can lead to unexpected rewards, personal fulfillment, and a deeper understanding of your own potential. It’s like process art, you take risks, experiment, and embrace the journey! 

 

If you are a parent, what do you think is the most important thing you’ve done as a parent in terms of the impact on your children?
Nature has this magical way of grounding us, and I hope that all those long walks on the beach and in the woods teach my daughter that, whenever the world gets too noisy, nature will always be there to help her reconnect to something bigger than the chaos around her. It’s important to me because if we teach our kids to love and care for the planet, maybe, just maybe, they’ll want to protect it too.

By introducing my daughter to all sorts of materials and creative processes, I like to think I’m giving her the tools to let her creativity run wild whenever inspiration strikes. Her curious little mind is always buzzing, asking questions and coming up with new ideas. She even has her own art corner where anything goes. Yep, sharpies and scissors? They’re in her cart, and she’s totally confident with them. This independence helps her trust her instincts and builds her confidence in expressing her thoughts and feelings without worrying about being judged. This kind of free-flowing creativity not only helps her grow emotionally and intellectually, but it also sparks a lifelong love for creating.
My grandmother played a huge part in shaping my childhood, always having us make something or bake something, we were never bored, and we didn’t need screens to keep us entertained. I come from a generation of kids who built forts, rode bikes through the neighborhood, and played in the river. As a parent, I’ve tried to expose my daughter to as much of that world as possible, hoping she’ll embrace it and, one day, pass it down to her own kids.

What is the most important factor behind your success / the success of your brand? 
Actions speak louder than words, and I’ve always believed in showing what I can do! My classes aren’t about sitting still at a table for an hour, they’re all about movement, energy, and creativity. And if something falls on the floor? No big deal, kids are messy! I want my students to dive deep into whatever artist, season, or holiday we’re exploring. Sometimes, to make that happen, you have to go all in and create a visually exciting experience. By building an open, supportive space where kids can explore their creativity without worrying about mistakes or judgment, they feel empowered to express themselves. Without the weight of strict rules and with the freedom to move around, my students stay curious, engaged, and excited to create, turning the learning process into something both fun and meaningful.

How to know whether to keep going or to give up? 
I haven’t given up, and I don’t plan to, I just keep focusing on evolving in ways that bring me joy and, most importantly, finding ways to share that with others. Offering art classes is so important to me, and I’m always striving to discover new methods to engage with the kids, ensuring we nurture a generation of inspired, expressive, and happy young adults. Adapting the classes to meet their changing needs keeps things fresh and exciting, motivating me to come up with new projects. But above all, these classes show the kids that their creativity matters, and I hope to inspire them to stay connected to the joy of making art throughout their lives.

Work life balance: how has your balance changed over time? How do you think about the balance? 
This career has given me the amazing chance to be fully present with my daughter during her important early years. I get to spend so much time with her, and she even joins me in one of my classes! How many people can say they get to collaborate creatively with their kid? Being able to pursue a career I’m passionate about while staying deeply involved in my daughter’s life brings me so much joy and fulfillment. It also strengthens our bond, creating a perfect balance between my personal and professional worlds.

What makes you happy? Why? 
Adventure and creativity are the heart of my joy, sparking a sense of wonder and limitless possibility in my life. Traveling and discovering new places help me reconnect with myself, expand my creative horizons, and rejuvenate my spirit. Immersing myself in new cultures, ideas, and experiences fuels my creativity, which is when I feel most alive and fulfilled. The best part is being able to share this with others, especially when I can inspire young children to embrace their own creativity.

Moving my body through hiking and yoga has been a big part of my personal growth. I’ve been practicing yoga for 20 years and teaching it for 13, it’s a practice I will continue for as long as I can, because it brings me peace, strength, and balance.

And, of course, being a mother has been the greatest gift of all. Watching my daughter grow and explore the world around her fills my heart with joy and wonder every day. Each day with her is a beautiful adventure, and helping her learn, discover, and become her true self brings me endless inspiration and happiness.

Why did you pursue an artistic or creative career?
It took me a while to get where I am today, my journey definitely hasn’t been a straight line! There have been plenty of twists, turns, and detours along the way. I took a year off to travel the world, and that’s when I first fell in love with photography, eventually landing me in California. But the real story begins when I crossed paths with the amazing Steve Morris, director of Coach Steve’s Summer of Fun Camp. Before my trip, I would come over from England to run the arts and crafts program, and little did I know that this experience would set me on the path I’m on now. That’s when I found my direction. The freedom we had to create with the kids was invaluable, and it gave me the confidence to believe in myself. It was from that spark that Art + Play was born.

It wasn’t until I had my daughter that I truly understood the magic of process art, she taught me more than I could ever have imagined. Being stuck at home with a 2.5-year-old during the pandemic had its challenges, but it also reminded me of the joy found in simple discoveries and the endless possibilities of creativity. That time spent together sparked something inside me, and I realized how much I wanted to build a career where I could nurture that same sense of exploration and creativity every day.

And so, Art + Play came to life, and it’s been evolving ever since. In September 2024, ClubJoyful Venice welcomed me to hold children’s classes in their space, and it’s been an incredible journey. The response has been so overwhelming that parents have even asked if I’ll host workshops for them too! So, stay tuned, big things are definitely on the way!

How do you define success? 
Happiness. It may sound cliché, but I truly love what I do. Seeing children create is nothing short of magical! The joy it brings to both kids and parents is incredible, after all, most parents enjoy creating with their children because it’s all about play, and play brings happiness. Success is about creating meaningful connections, fostering kindness, and embracing the happiness that comes from uplifting those around me. The goal for every class I do is to bring happiness and joy through art and play. If the kids are happy, then the parents are happy, and we’re then spreading more happiness out into the community. 

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?Favorite spots in LA? Let me take you through some of our family-friendly favorites! When the sun’s out, we’re cruising the beach bike path, watching skaters in Venice we pass the Santa Monica Pier, and stop for quesadilla bites at Perry’s. On the way back, we’ll grab Jeni’s splendid Ice Cream or a coffee from Menotti’s by the Venice sign, nothing more Californian than that! For coffee, we’re big fans of Paisita, and Planta Cocina is our go-to for dinner. On weekends, you’ll find us in Playa Vista, either playing at the park, grabbing a burrito from Homestate or coffee from Blue Bottle, or saying hello to the animals at Wallis Annenberg PetSpace, where they do a story and craft every Saturday at 11:30. We also love walking along the Venice canals and grabbing vegan chocolate chip cookies from The Canal Market. With spring in full swing, we’re definitely planning a visit to Underwood Farms to see the Easter Bunny and pick some fresh strawberries. That’s as exciting as it gets, folks!
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’m grateful to my grandmother for teaching me to learn through creativity, to Steve Morris from Coast Sports for helping me grow, and to Club Joyful Venice for giving me the opportunity to share what I’ve learned

Website: https://www.traceyaredman.com

Instagram: @Artandplay.la

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