Kaleidoscope PA combines art and wellness for unique events
By Holly Riddle
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Kaleidoscope PA founder Sarah Zappe adopted a new hobby: watercolor painting. Finding the activity to be an effective stress reliever, she began painting every day. Then, a simple Instagram post provided the impetus that would eventually result in Kaleidoscope PA.
“In 2022, on a whim, I responded to an Instagram post from the owner of Rooted Farmstead, asking for people to come and teach workshops on the farm. I thought, ‘I could do that! I could teach watercolor.’ My first watercolor class was in the flower field on the farm at sunset and I fell in love,” said Zappe. “In 2023, I decided to make my love of teaching watercolor official and launched Kaleidoscope PA, after participating in several entrepreneurship programs with Happy Valley LaunchBox.”
While Zappe is an educational psychologist by training and directs a teaching and learning center in the College of Engineering at Penn State, she also had some entrepreneurial experience, launching an educational consulting company in 2018. However, she said her true passion has always been creating. Kaleidoscope PA combines her background in education psychology and her passions for wellness and painting, for a company that harnesses unique partnerships for equally unique experiences.
She said, “The way I teach painting is to really focus on the underlying psychological principles of how people learn. I recognize the big stumbling blocks that people have when it comes to learning art, and try to put people at ease when they take my class. It’s a different approach than the way most people teach art in informal settings.”
“I also am passionate about building partnerships and community,” she added. “In the past year, I have taught at multiple different locations and have built relationships with other business owners. I find it so rewarding to offer these art events in unique places and settings.”
Past settings have included in the barn surrounded by goats at Nittany Meadow Farm in Boalsburg and by the Mini Whinnies at Quarter Acre Wood in Port Matilda.
Classes are not like typical “sip and paint” events, either where everyone paints the same thing. Instead, each class is unique and tries to capture the essence of the location. Mindfulness practices are often incorporated, and Zappe encourages participants to play and be curious.
“I am always amazed at the quality of the artwork that comes out of the classes!” she said. “The other thing that surprises me is how often classes get into a ‘flow’ state where they are so focused on painting that everyone is sitting in complete silence. It is often very relaxing and meditative.”
It’s clear that Zappe finds joy in her business. She said, “I love art. I love seeing art. I love making art. I keep joking that I want to retire and paint flowers in field all day. There is something so joyful and freeing about being able to pick up a paintbrush and create. My passion is in wanting to share this joy with others and to teach others that we all have an artist inside of us and to just give creating a chance. I also am very concerned about mental health and recognize that creating art is another tool in our toolbox to help with mental health and wellness.”
In the future, she hopes to grow the business in a few ways, including partnering with more area farms and creating art-wellness kits for purchase, but she also said she’s allowing herself “the grace to let the company build slowly and organically.”
Learn more about and discover upcoming events at https://www.kaleidoscopepa.com/.
Holly Riddle is a freelance lifestyle and business journalist. She can be reached at holly.ridd@gmail.com.
