The Indigo Project is a creative wellness and arts education initiative that merges expressive, process-based art with technical mastery. Rooted in the founder’s 20+ years of experience as a working artist, creative director, consultant, and educator, the program is designed to cultivate emotional well-being, build community, and develop artistic confidence.
on
a
mission
the wish. the need. manifesto.
To help individuals feel good through the act of creating—using art as a meditative, expressive tool for connection, exploration, and personal growth.
As renowned physician and trauma expert Dr. Gabor Maté reminds us:
“Play is not optional. It’s a necessity. Play is essential to health, to learning, to creativity, and to the capacity to handle stress.”
The Indigo Project creates space for youth and adults to reconnect with this essential part of themselves—restoring creativity not just as a skill, but as a fundamental component of mental and emotional wellness.
SERVICES:
While the experience encourages free-flowing expression, it is also structured with skill-building instruction to develop key techniques.
35 US dollars
35 US dollars
45 US dollars
Offerings
My Story
Hi, I’m Melissa Courtney — an artist, educator, and creative producer living and working in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
For over two decades, I’ve been driven by one simple truth: art brings people together. Whether I’m teaching a child how to mix colors for the first time, helping a museum visitor see a painting in a new light, or managing a large-scale public mural, my mission is always the same — to create meaningful, accessible connections through art.
I started my journey with a BFA in Painting from the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, where I fell in love with the tactile nature of fine art — the layering of paint, the rhythm of textiles, the unexpected joy of collage. But what really lit me up was watching others discover that same joy in their own hands. That’s what drew me to teaching, and eventually to building a career that bridges education, community engagement, and creative strategy.
I’ve worked with some of Milwaukee’s most vibrant cultural institutions — from the Milwaukee Art Museum and Lynden Sculpture Garden to SHARP Literacy and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. I’ve also had the honor of sharing my own work in galleries across the country, with pieces held in permanent collections from Brooklyn to Boston.
In 2023, I launched The Indigo Project, a personal venture that merges my love of teaching with my passion for hospitality. Through curated, hands-on art experiences paired with food and conversation, I invite people of all ages to slow down, create, and connect.
Currently, I’m also a Project Manager and Creative Producer at Reginald Baylor Studio, where I lead collaborative public art projects that reflect the richness of our city and the stories that shape it.
At the heart of everything I do is a belief that art is not just for the talented or the trained — it’s for everyone. And when we make space for creativity, we make space for healing, learning, and community.
Thanks for being here. I’d love to share more of my work with you.