Navigating the path of professional artistry through The Artist’s Way

Being a full-time artist is a brave, beautiful, and often isolating endeavor. While the world sees the finished product, they rarely see the "Creative U-turns," the inner critic, or the pressure of making a living through your soul's work.

The Creative Sanctuary is a weekly facilitated group led by local musician Demetri Chrissos -  Specifically designed to turn that isolation into community. Using Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way as our foundational text, we provide a structured space to dismantle creative blocks and build a sustainable professional practice.

What to Expect Each Week

Our sessions are divided into three core pillars to ensure you leave feeling both grounded and inspired:

• The Check-In: A safe space to discuss the unique challenges of the week—from "imposter syndrome" to the logistical hurdles of a full-time career.

• The Work: A guided deep-dive into the weekly chapters of The Artist’s Way, exploring tools like Morning Pages and Artist Dates.

• The Stillness: Group meditations and mindfulness exercises designed to quiet the "Censor" and reconnect you with your intuitive voice.

Is This for You?

This group is specifically curated for full-time creators (or those in the final stages of transitioning to full-time) who are looking for:

• Accountability: Stay on track with your creative recovery and output.

• Strategies: Practical ways to navigate the "droughts" and "floods" of a creative career.

• Solidarity: A peer group that understands that "work" doesn't always look like a 9-to-5.

"In order to move into the mystery, we must learn to be comfortable with being uncomfortable." — Julia Cameron

Program Details

• When: Weekly Sessions Saturday 10AM | Program Starts 3/7/2026

• Where: [Hybrid Class] Hosted in person at Savannah Guitar Lutherie & Online via Zoom

• Duration: A 13-week commitment (Introduction + 12 Weeks of the Program)

Investment: $50 Registration (includes the book and workshop Materials)

Suggested Donation: $20 per Session

About the Program:

The Mission

Full-time artistry is a marathon, not a sprint. Yet, most artists are expected to run it alone. The Creative Sanctuary is a 12-week intensive support group designed to bridge the gap between "working artist" and "thriving creator." Using the proven framework of The Artist’s Way, we provide the emotional infrastructure and community solidarity necessary to sustain a lifelong career in the arts.

Why This Matters for Our Community

A city is only as vibrant as its creators. When artists burn out, struggle with isolation, or succumb to creative blocks, our entire community loses its color.

• Economic Resilience: We help artists treat their practice with the discipline of a professional.

• Mental Well-being: We provide tools to manage the unique anxieties of the creative life.

• Cultural Growth: By supporting the "maker," we ensure the continued production of the "art" that defines our neighborhood.

The 12-Week Journey

Participants meet weekly for 90 minutes. Our sessions aren't just "talk therapy"—they are actionable workshops for the soul.

• Weekly Accountability: Navigating the 12 chapters of Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way.

• Morning Pages & Artist Dates: Implementing the core habits that unlock creative flow.

• Guided Meditations: Specifically tailored to silence the "Inner Critic" and professional pressure.

• Peer Solidarity: Real conversations about the logistics of living a creative life.

Enrollment & Associated Costs

We believe that financial barriers should never stand in the way of creative recovery. To make this group sustainable and accessible, we utilize a hybrid-contribution model:

1. The Registration & Resource Fee: $50

To join the circle, we ask for a one-time registration fee. This ensures "skin in the game" and covers the immediate cost of your materials.

• What’s Included: A brand-new copy of The Artist’s Way, a dedicated journal for your Morning Pages, and all administrative overhead.

2. The Weekly Contribution: Donation-Based

Once the program begins, we operate on a "Pay-What-You-Can" donation basis for each session. This allows those who are thriving to "pay it forward" and those in a leaner season to still receive the support they need.

Suggested donation: $10–$20 per week.

Support Our Creative Ecosystem

Not an artist, but want to support one?
If you believe in the power of the arts, consider "Sponsoring an Artist" with a $100 donation to the program.   

Your donations go directly toward:

• Covering the registration fees for artists in financial transition.

• Subsidizing the venue rental costs to keep our meetings in a safe, inspiring space.

• Expanding our programming to reach more creators in Savannah.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is this a religious program?  No. While Julia Cameron uses the word "God" or "Higher Power" throughout the book, The Artist’s Way is a secular program designed for people of all faiths—and those of none. We define these terms as Creative Energy, The Muse, Flow, or simply the Collective Imagination. You are encouraged to substitute any language that feels uncomfortable with words that resonate with your personal worldview.

• I’ve already read the book. Why join a group?  Many of us have The Artist's Way gathering dust on a shelf. Reading the book is an intellectual exercise; doing the book is a transformative one. A support group provides the external accountability, peer feedback, and shared energy that makes finishing the 12-week "marathon" possible.

• How much time will this take?

To get the most out of the program, you should set aside:

• 1. • 90 Minutes for our weekly group session.

     • 20–30 Minutes each morning for "Morning Pages."

     • 1–2 Hours once a week for your "Artist Date." Think of this not as "extra work," but as an investment in the clarity and productivity of your full-time career.

• Why a $50 registration fee?  This fee covers the tangible costs of the program: your copy of The Artist’s Way, a dedicated Morning Pages journal, and the administrative costs of organizing the 12-week series. We want you to arrive on Day 1 with every tool you need to succeed.

• How do the donations work?  After the initial registration, the weekly sessions are sustained by your generosity. Donations help us cover venue rental, coffee/tea, and "scholarships" for artists in financial transition. We suggest a donation of $10–$20 per session, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

• What if I have to miss a week? Life and gigs happen. While we encourage consistent attendance to maintain the "sacred circle" of the group, you can stay on track by following the weekly chapters in the book and checking in with a "Creative Buddy" from the group.

• Do I have to be a "musician" to join? No. Writers, dancers, chefs, designers, and painters are all welcome.
  If you create for a living, you belong here.

• Can I drop in for a single Session? In order to respect the privacy of the group members as well as hold each other accountable to the program We will keep the group members the same for each 12 week section.  Please commit to joining us for the entire twelve weeks, and if you are interested we will keep you updated for the next opportunity to join.  

• Is my donation tax-deductible? We are currently a community-led initiative; donations directly offset program costs.  You may donate to our program's mission by supporting Demetri Chrissos on The Field.  Demetri Chrissos is a sponsored artist with The Performance Zone Inc (dba The Field), a not-for-profit, tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) organization serving the arts community. Contributions to The Field earmarked for  Demetri Chrissos are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. 

If you would like to donate on a regular basis to support the mission of Chrissos Music and our collaboration with Savannah Guitar Lutherie, please consider supporting our programs with a monthly donation.   Check out all of our initiatives on our Artist's profile on The Field linked below.  

About the Book: The Artist’s Way

"The seminal book on the subject of creativity." — The New York Times

First published in 1992, Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way has become the "gold standard" for creative recovery, sold in millions of copies worldwide. But it is far more than a book—it is a comprehensive, 12-week program designed to dismantle the "inner critic" and replace creative stagnation with a disciplined, joyful flow.

The Core Philosophy

The book operates on the belief that creativity is our natural state, and that "blocks" are simply the result of fear, perfectionism, and cultural conditioning. For the full-time artist, these blocks aren't just frustrating—they are professional hazards.

The Three Pillars of the Program

To navigate the 12 chapters, participants utilize the "Basic Tools" of the program:

1. Morning Pages: Three pages of longhand, stream-of-consciousness writing done first thing in the morning. This act "clears the windshield" of the mind, allowing you to move past the ego and into your true work.

2. The Artist Date: A weekly block of time set aside for a solo expedition to feed your creative soul. This practice replenishes the "well" from which you draw your inspiration.

3. Weekly Exercises: Targeted tasks designed to identify the "Shadow Artists" in your life, recover your sense of power, and build a sustainable relationship with your craft.

The Artist’s Way provides the map, but this group provides the compass and the company. Together, we move through the text not as a solitary academic exercise, but as a living, breathing transformation of our professional lives.

A Note on the 12-Week Structure

The book is structured into 12 distinct themes, moving from "Recovering a Sense of Safety" in Week 1 to "Recovering a Sense of Faith" in Week 12. Each week builds upon the last, creating a cumulative shift in how you view your identity as a creator.

Want to dive deeper? The Artist’s Way has helped millions of creators—from Elizabeth Gilbert to Alicia Keys—unblock their potential and find their path. You can read a comprehensive summary and explore the author's official resources on her website here.

I know firsthand that being a full-time artist is a brave, often isolating endeavor. Throughout my journey—I have learned that talent is only half the battle; sustainability is the other. 

I am facilitating this group because I believe that when artists come together to dismantle their blocks and share their strategies, the entire community rises. 

My goal is to provide the same tools and unwavering support that have allowed me to transform my musical passion into a thriving studio and career.

-Demetri Chrissos, Facilitator

The Artist's Way is a spiral, not a straight line. Doing the work within a community of full-time peers offers a completely different experience than doing it alone.  

Get in touch with us if you have any questions via the registration link!