Merilee Mostov |

In the Center for Creativity at the Columbus Museum of Art we believe that creativity is for everyone. By everyone, we mean people of all ages. If only I had a dollar for every time an adult quipped, “me? I’m not creative. But, (pointing to an adorable 7-year old nearby) my son, or granddaughter, or niece is very talented.”

Which makes me think that in addition to personal trainers, stylists, and doulas, many adults need a Creativity Coach. A creativity coach would follow you around for one week to highlight and record the myriad ways that you already employ creativity in your life. A creativity coach will motivate you to try new things – to take risks. She will champion your imagination, curiosity, and sense of wonder. She will provoke you to explore things that are absurd and ambiguous.

I got the idea for a creativity coach after meeting Michelle Persichetti last week at a reception for the finalists in the 3rd CMA Community Photo Hunt Challenge. Michelle would be a terrific creativity coach.

Michelle’s story is similar to other adults I meet. A busy mother and elementary teacher at Tremont School in Upper Arlington, she doesn’t consider herself to be particularly creative. But she notices that something special is happening since she started snapping photos for the Community Photo Challenge. “This challenge has made me more observant of the world and moments to capture. It has inspired me to have a new creative outlet.”

What I love about Michelle’s story is her attitude. She may not consider herself creative and she may question what that word means, but she has not shut the door on it either. She is not afraid to try something new, to experiment, to look at the world from a new point of view, to be curious. Michelle’s story is an example of how quietly creativity can slip into our lives, and energize us. Her enthusiasm, her sense of wonder, her passion – this is how I know she would be a terrific creativity coach.

There are many exciting photos in this exhibition of all Instagram images, but Michelle’s submission for the prompt GOLDEN is particularly compelling. At the reception, I waited patiently to discover the person, and the story, behind this photo. On the surface, it’s such a simple image – a letter on simple ruled paper. But it is the story behind the photograph that jostled my imagination.

I was thrilled to meet Michelle this night – to soak up her positive energy, to be inspired by her passion, to bear witness to adult creativity. And I was honored that she shared even more details about the golden letter with me later that evening via e-mail,

“As I drove home I thought more about the photo, after my dad passed away suddenly, I took out a box of letters he had written me. Letters that I didn’t appreciate as much when he was alive. That line inspired me, and assured me again of his unconditional love, so I snapped a picture to always keep it in my pocket. It just happened to be on golden paper and be a golden line.”

As any good coach knows, getting started is the hardest part. Trying something new is scary. Congratulations to Michelle for taking the risk.

Want to join the next Photo Hunt starting in September? Here’s how…

Visitors Stories and Conversations is a biweekly blog series highlighting the stories behind many of our delightful visitors.

As Chief Engagement Officer, I spend much of my time chatting and playing with visitors at the Columbus Museum of Art. Passionate about people and the role of museums in our lives, I imagine new ways to inspire people to imagine, question, share, connect, and create. In this blog series, I’ll share my conversations and encounters with some of our many delightful visitors.

Make Them Laugh
It was laughter that led me to this exuberant family in our galleries recently. I was in a gallery nearby when I heard their spirited sounds. I went to check it out.

As soon as they saw me, their chatter stopped abruptly. “We’re sorry.” Mom Rita apologized. “We forgot that it’s an art museum. We should whisper.”

Thinking that it’s not ok to talk, laugh, and have fun is one of the misconceptions about our Museum. At CMA we actually encourage hearty dialogue. Our tagline, Join the Conversation, is displayed prominently on comment boards throughout the Museum.

We recognize that most visitors come in groups – with family and friends, with colleagues and classmates. People come together to see great works of art. Rita and her family, for example, were thrilled to discover our delightful Picasso, I Love Eva.

But one of the unexpected joys of visiting a museum is the chance to spend time connecting with each other – looking and chatting, sharing and wondering, making and doing. A visit to CMA is not just an opportunity to learn about art; it’s a chance to learn about each other.

Hearing Rita and her family – husband Joe, daughter Serenity, and friend Elizabeth – talk, laugh, and share stories, signaled that they were taking full advantage of this time together. While taking a break on our comfy leather chairs, they talked about their favorite Picasso painting and reminisced about their first year living in Columbus. (The family moved from South Dakota one year ago.)

It was Serenity who prompted this family outing. She earned free passes to CMA through the Columbus Metropolitan Summer Reading Club. “I knew right away that I was bringing her,” she said pointing to her best friend Elizabeth, “because I don’t get to see her very often anymore.”

And then she flashed a big smile, and laughed.

Art Speaks. Join the Conversation

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About Merilee Mostov

Creativity Coach

Visitor Stories and Conversations New Blog Series

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