Amsterdam will come alive with creativity on October 12, 2024, as the Messy Magical Muse Festival of Creativity takes place at Stichting Buurtwerkplaatsen in the city’s Staatsliedenbuurt. Organized by Kissing the Muse Creative Adventures in partnership with the local workshops and community friends, this free event will run from 14:00 to 18:00, celebrating artistic expression and the launch of The Messy Magical Muse card deck.
The festival promises a vibrant atmosphere filled with live workshop demonstrations, a pop-up art market, and opportunities for attendees to connect with local artists and makers. Visitors will be invited to immerse themselves in the eclectic culture of Staatsliedenbuurt, known for its rich artistic community and quirky charm.
At the heart of the festival is the official launch of The Messy Magical Muse card deck, created by Robbyn Layne, the founder of Kissing the Muse Creative Adventures. Layne describes the deck as a tool for intuitive exploration, designed to inspire users to find their own answers through expressive art-making. “It’s a unique twist on tarot and oracle cards,” she explains, highlighting its focus on creativity.
The creation of the card deck reflects Layne’s personal journey from San Francisco to Amsterdam, a move inspired by love. “Upon arriving in Staatsliedenbuurt, I found a weird, slightly wacky, and wildly creative community that made me feel at home,” she said. The festival represents Layne’s desire to give back to the community that embraced her, launching the deck in the place that inspired its development.
Staatsliedenbuurt has a history as a “squatters’ stronghold” dating back to the 1980s, and its spirit of artistic freedom continues to thrive today. The festival will serve not only as a celebration of this creative environment but also as a fundraiser for Stichting Buurtwerkplaatsen. Founded in 1985 and rooted in the ideals of the squatting movement, the organisation offers an authentic and affordable space for adults to explore creative crafts.
The festival’s agenda includes an open house with live workshop demonstrations from 14:00 to 16:00, covering various crafts such as ceramics, jewelry making, and woodworking. Attendees can also browse a pop-up art market featuring works from local artists, with 10% of sales supporting the foundation.
An interactive scavenger hunt, called the Creative Adventure, invites participants to explore the workshops and “kiss” each muse on the map for a chance to win raffle prizes. Additionally, an art auction will take place from 15:00 to 16:00, showcasing original pieces created in the workshops.
From 16:00 to 18:00, the festival will shift focus to the launch party for The Messy Magical Muse card deck. A presentation at 16:30 will recount the collaborative spirit behind the deck’s creation, complemented by spoken word performances from special guests. Light refreshments will be available for purchase, alongside music from DJ Midas throughout the event.
The Messy Magical Muse Festival of Creativity welcomes all to experience a day filled with inspiration, connection, and community spirit. For further details and to RSVP, visit the Kissing the Muse website.
