Writer. Artist. Creative Instigator.
Welcome. I’m Dara (they/them).
I help artists and writers sustain a creative life, rich with community, steeped in rigor, and grounded in self-care.
I support creatives across mediums.
I model methods of drafting and creating iterations.
I support reflection, sharing, and critique.
What People Say
“We are in an ideas world now and this retreat is really for everyone. It gave me the workflow to navigate ideas, centralize them, act on them. That’s impactful, extremely impactful. I learned how to approach an idea that is strong and workable.
The mindfulness and meditative aspect I would never have even considered. I’ve never truly looked inward in that way with breathing and visualizing. That’s life changing! ”
Alex Agnant (he/him)
MFA School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Cinematographer with Imagine Motion Productions
Maplewood, NJ
Your Creative Instigator
Dara Brady (They/Them)
Scape School was founded by Dara Brady, a queer, nonbinary educator, artist, and writer, with an autoimmune disease, who is acutely aware of physical struggles, mental hardships, and the value of unique learning spaces. In addition to their degrees and credentials listed below, they have extensive training in social emotional learning, technology integration, and project based learning through IDEO U, the Krause Center for Innovation, Khan Academy, PBL Works, YouTube, The Zones of Regulation, Social Thinking and Computer Using Educators. Dara lives with their wife and child in a tiny house nestled in the redwood forest of Santa Cruz, CA
- Owner and Creative Director of Scape School
- MFA, Studio Art, School of the Art Institute of Chicago
- BFA, Sculpture, University of Kansas
- Single Subject Art Teaching Credential, CA
- Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, CA
Your Mindfulness Instructor
Rani Jayakumar (she/her)
Rani collaborates with Dara to create a retreat space that encourages awareness. Rani’s mindfulness and movement breaks create a sense of community and collective well-being. She is a Certified Mindfulness Instructor through Mindful Schools, a Certified Yoga Instructor for children with Little Flower Yoga, and is currently completing a 200 hour yoga teacher certification.
She is also music educator, specifically South Indian Classical vocal music (Carnatic music). Rani is passionate about the planet, is active with Transition Palo Alto, organizes Share Fares, and helps provide environmental sustainability information, activities, and guidance for families and children. Rani lives in Palo Alto, California, with her partner and two children. She is an avid reader and crafter.
★★★★★
I’m on fire! I’m making art pieces and I literally can’t stop! In the retreat, I received a safe space, where I had permission to explore art and find clarity. I now understand how art fits into my life and I’m reclaiming my studio as a place for mistakes and inspiration.
Aylene Lambert, aka Stax (she/her)
Visual Artist and Writer
Marin, CA
★★★★★
Just go for it! This is fantastic! The prompts help me take fresh, unexpected turns in my own creative process. It’s inspiring and fun to see what other creative people are thinking and making. Each time I join, I come away feeling refreshed and inspired.
Betsy Lohrer Hall (she/her)
Visual Artist
Curator at Flux Art Space
Educator, CSUF
Long Beach, CA
★★★★★
The whole structure of Makerspace works for me! I love the artists we’re exposed to and the prompts we’re given. I love sharing and receiving feedback. I’m always inspired when I leave and excited for our next session!
Clover Morell (she/her)
Visual and Performing Artist
Residency Program Manager at the Grand Canyon Conservancy
Grand Canyon Village, AZ
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