Unwind and Design Creative Studio

09/30/2025

Each day invites us to quiet the noise in our minds, pick up our tools, and create something—big or small. When we see the day as a work of art, we step out of our heads and into the joy of living.

09/17/2025

🧵💫 Step into the warm, whimsical world of fiber arts with Madam Michelle at our Fiber Studio! 🌸 Her lessons are fun, cozy, and perfect for beginners who want to try crochet, knitting, and more. Think of it like creating little treasures with your own two hands in a space that feels like home. 🏡✨

Whether you’re brand new or just looking for a creative escape, these lessons are for YOU. Tap into your creativity, laugh with friends, and leave with something magical you made yourself. 💕

Message us anytime or check out unwindanddesign.org/workshops-lessons to join in!

08/04/2025

We’ve Finished the Murals at Valley Academy… and We’re Just Getting Started 🎨

I’m so incredibly humbled and grateful to share that we’ve officially completed the mural series at Valley Academy. This project has been one of the most rewarding, emotional, and growth-filled experiences of my life. It’s been a journey of ups and downs, late nights, learning curves, and soul work. Every wall we painted wasn’t just a wall—it became a reflection of hope, healing, and transformation.

These murals aren’t just for decoration. They are Calming Corners—safe spaces created for students who need a moment to breathe, to decompress, to feel. Whether they’re overwhelmed, anxious, or just need a break, these corners will serve as a gentle reminder that their emotions are valid, and that healing is welcome here. Color, nature, light, and love all live within these spaces.

And the journey continues…

We’ve been blessed with the opportunity to bring 5 new calming corner murals to life across Juvenile Hall, and ICOE’s alternative education classrooms in Brawley and Calexico. Knowing that our art will serve students in such deeply meaningful ways is something I will never take for granted.

I’m proud to walk this path—not just as an artist, but as a Chicana Chapina woman whose roots are woven into every brushstroke. I carry my culture, my story, and my community with me in everything I create. And I’m so excited for what’s to come.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me, uplifted me, and believed in this mission. Let’s keep creating spaces where students feel seen, safe, and inspired.

With love,
Kimberly Alfaro Massey
Unwind & Design Creative Studio

06/11/2025

Mural Progress – ICOE Valley Academy

Today’s section of the mural was a full-on creative meditation. I leaned into richer blue tones for the mountains and softened the hillside with layers of bushes and their gentle shadows. The waterline now glimmers with ripples and shifting blues that stretch into the distance—like a quiet moment frozen in time.

I spent time on the tree trunk, adding warm strokes of orange, brown, subtle greens, and even pinks to bring out its character. Then came the leaves—layered in lush textures with pops of yellow and white to give them that sun-kissed glow. I love how they stretch out past the edge—it makes the tree feel like it’s growing beyond the wall.

I continued building the scene downward, blending the grass into the lower trim and grounding the painting into the space. From there, I painted soft pinks and oranges into the forget-me-nots, adding highlights that make them almost float. That patch near the base of the tree draws your eye toward the background—it’s a quiet pull into the story of the mural.

There’s something special about getting lost in Lofi and brushstrokes—just me, the wall, and my imagination. Today reminded me how powerful it is to just keep creating—even one brushstroke at a time. Watching this piece come to life has been a gift, and I’m excited to bring you all along this journey. Every bloom, leaf, and ripple is a moment of joy I get to share.

Follow along for more behind-the-scenes progress and artful inspiration—this is just the beginning.

03/29/2025

02/18/2025

🎨✨ Just posted a new video showcasing some of our fun and creative art lessons on the spectrum! From high support to high functioning, we feel truly blessed to have met such incredible students bursting with creativity. 🌈 Our lessons are designed to inspire and explore new ways of creating, whether in group settings or personalized 1-on-1 sessions (available on a first-come, first-serve basis). Join us on this artistic journey and discover the joy of self-expression! 🖌️💖



🎨✨ ¡Acabo de publicar un nuevo video que muestra algunas de nuestras divertidas y creativas clases de arte en el espectro! Desde apoyo intensivo hasta alto funcionamiento, nos sentimos verdaderamente bendecidos de haber conocido a estudiantes increíbles llenos de creatividad. 🌈 Nuestras clases están diseñadas para inspirar y explorar nuevas formas de creación, ya sea en grupos o en sesiones personalizadas 1 a 1 (disponibles por orden de llegada). ¡Únete a nosotros en este viaje artístico y descubre la alegría de expresarte! 🖌️💖

02/18/2025

🎨✨ Just posted a new video showcasing some of our fun and creative art lessons on the spectrum! From high support to high functioning, we feel truly blessed to have met such incredible students bursting with creativity. 🌈 Our lessons are designed to inspire and explore new ways of creating, whether in group settings or personalized 1-on-1 sessions (available on a first-come, first-serve basis). Join us on this artistic journey and discover the joy of self-expression! 🖌️💖



🎨✨ ¡Acabo de publicar un nuevo video que muestra algunas de nuestras divertidas y creativas clases de arte en el espectro! Desde apoyo intensivo hasta alto funcionamiento, nos sentimos verdaderamente bendecidos de haber conocido a estudiantes increíbles llenos de creatividad. 🌈 Nuestras clases están diseñadas para inspirar y explorar nuevas formas de creación, ya sea en grupos o en sesiones personalizadas 1 a 1 (disponibles por orden de llegada). ¡Únete a nosotros en este viaje artístico y descubre la alegría de expresarte! 🖌️💖

Watch, follow, and discover more trending content.

01/18/2025

We host this event monthly at our studio. Let us know if you would like to donate items of food, camping items or clothing that the homeless could use.

On Tuesday, January 7th, members of New Destiny Church’s Feed the Homeless Ministry held their monthly “Feed the Homeless” event at the Unwind and Design Creative Art Studio in El Centro from 6-8 PM. A warm turkey dinner, a variety of donated clothing, toiletries, canned foods, desserts, sack ...

01/18/2025

🎨 “I Dream of Conchas”

As an artist, my work is often a reflection of the moments that shaped me, and “I Dream of Conchas” is no exception. This 8”x10” acrylic piece is a tribute to my childhood memories—ones that blend nostalgia, love, and the warmth of family.

This painting draws from cherished evenings spent with my abuelita, sitting in the living room with a plate of pan dulce, sipping champurrado or cafecito. The black-and-white glow of I Dream of Jeannie played on the TV, while my nana’s happy and lively laughs and voice on the phone filled the background. These moments were simple yet profoundly beautiful, a testament to the magic found in everyday life.

The cool tones in this piece are not just a personal palette preference—they represent the calmness and comfort of those evenings. Painting this was like stepping through a portal, reliving those memories and holding them close to my heart. While I’m homesick this weekend with the flu, I felt compelled to share a piece of my soul with you all.

“I Dream of Conchas” is part of a new series inspired by the memories I hold dearest, centered on the time I spent with my grandparents. These pieces are my way of keeping their love alive and celebrating the joy they brought to my life. I’m excited to share this journey with you and hope it resonates with your own treasured memories.

Stay tuned for more from this heartfelt series—each piece is a tribute to the moments that made me who I am today.

04/25/2024

This Thursday you have two chances at 5:30 pm and 7:15pm. To discover the therapeutic fusion of drawing and creativity in our realism anatomy easy drawing lessons. With our expert cartoonist as your guide, unlock the secrets of crafting expressive characters from feet to torsos. Embrace your unique style and embark on a journey where every stroke nurtures growth and soothes the mind . # drawing Centro

04/09/2024

03/22/2024

CALL FOR ART DONATIONS & LIVE ART! IVDM is looking for exquisite artwork to be donated towards to our Wine Tasting & Silent Auction. We are also looking for artists to participate the night of the event as live artists and contribute their works to the silent auction.

IVDM will be accepting submissions for artwork donations and live artists for our Wine Tasting & Silent Auction now through, Friday, May 3, 2024. This is a curated silent auction, we won't be able to accept all submissions but we will include as many as possible.

If you have any questions, would like to donate art, or participate as a live artist, please contact us at (760) 358-7016 or info@ivdesertmuseum.org