Creative journeys

Compiled by Magi Thomley Williams; Illustration by Getty Images

This month we asked Bella readers to share a favorite artful adventure they have undertaken. Painting the skyline in a fun city? An exotic cooking class? Sharing an art class with friends? Something else? Read about their artful adventures and share yours with us at Facebook/pensacolabella or Instagram/pensacolabella.

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Pensacola Retreat Center has allowed me to participate in a local getaway with fellow sewists. Crafty Glo is an awesome host and ensures you have all you need when taking time for yourself. No matter what your craft interest, this place has it all to allow you and friends to be creative.

— KaSandra Lee, owner, Kassie’s Kraft Werkes

My favorite artful thing to do is to walk on the beach and pick up shells and to take pictures of sunset or sunrise at the beach. I have jars of shells all over my house with all kinds of shells from every beach that I’ve been to. Some shells are perfect, some are broken; just like life, it doesn’t have to perfect. We can find beauty in all shells.

— Kim Hajek, home loan advisor, branch manager, Hajek Home Loans

My favorite artful adventure is right in my own backyard here in Pensacola, at the Pensacola Retreat Center. I am a quilter, and every time I walk into this space, I am excited to sew my heart out, get advice from other retreaters and feel like I am part of a community. I attend the open sew retreat weekends where anyone can come with any project and create!

— Stephanie Benson, Piperbird Studios

One of my favorite adventures is New Orleans. I love the culture, the music, the architecture of the buildings and the history of the city. There are so many tours to do around the city and surrounding area. I also love walking around Jackson Square, enjoying the street performers and browsing the wares of the local artists creating sculptures, paintings and pencil drawings. New Orleans has a piece of artful adventure for my soul. It is my home away from home.

— Angela Burden, Escrow Officer, First International Title

Food is my favorite form of art, where every ingredient tells a story. And my perfect artful adventure combines my love of food with my zest for travel. Through immersive experiences with local chefs, I’ve learned the stories, cultures and passions of the people and places I’ve visited. In Tuscany with Chef Veronica, I recreated Nonna Olga’s cantucci with almonds and vin santo as Chef painted stories of her Italian heritage. In Ireland, Chef John’s bacon and cabbage sliotars blended Irish food history with ancient Gaelic sport. And in Charleston, Chef Forrest introduced me to near-extinct heirloom crops that are transforming both food and spirits across the South. These experiences remind me that food is life’s most delicious adventure. Mangia and enjoy every bite!