An Introduction to Creative Café

Imagine, just for a moment, the feeling you get when you walk into your favorite coffee shop or café. Perhaps it's the one where the barista knows you by name. My guess is that it is one with delicious refreshments and comfortable seating. Maybe it even contains inspiring art and relaxing music, board games, or books. It may even be the one you visit for creative workshops, open-mic performances, or book club discussions. 

For many of us, a coffee shop is not simply about the coffee. It is an environment that is conducive to writing, reading, and creating. It is a relaxed and enjoyable environment for conversing and collaborating. 

Now, imagine what it might look like to create this sort of “coffee shop” environment within our schools and our co-ops (without the coffee, of course!). Imagine the delight and joy of children immersed in creative workshops in a relaxed and inspiring environment. An environment conducive to meaningful conversations and authentic collaboration. One filled with art, music, and stories that inspire our children to ponder the good, the true, and the beautiful. 

Imagine these same children sharing during open-mic performances, gathering for book clubs and board game events, or working together to plan community events. Imagine Catholic creatives hosting workshops that inspire young people to explore various ways of bringing glory to God. 

Here at Catholic Coffee Shop, we call this community-centered environment Creative Café. It is not a program or a curriculum; it is a framework that can be catered to the unique personalities and learning styles of the children you teach. 

The Creative Café Framework was developed using a blend of Charlotte Mason’s teaching philosophy and the modern writing workshop method. It has a little bit of a “morning time” feel to it, but places more emphasis on creative expression. 

Stay tuned as we continue to share resources, both here on the blog and at our store, to help you get started hosting Creative Café events at home, at your co-op, or in your classroom!