Charlotte Hajer is the executive director of the Sonoma Community Center.
The commodification of creativity
For the past ten years or so, I’ve been baking sourdough bread. Every day I faithfully feed my starter, and every Saturday I use... Continue
Life affirming… and a little bit scary
One great way to boost our collective creativity as a community is to revel in the rich cultural diversity and creativity that already... Continue
Creativity and discomfort
I’ve mostly been writing here about creativity as a positive thing. I’ve explored how making something (or being creative in other... Continue
When is a piece of art not a craft?
What’s the difference between art and craft? Between an artist and an artisan? This is a distinction that I’d never given much... Continue
What is a Muse?
At the Community Center, we’re in the midst of planning our annual MUSE gala – and it’s gotten me to thinking about this notion... Continue
Bringing the play
I began to play the violin when I was seven – but I often say it really started when I was nine. That’s when I switched to a new... Continue
Creativity as/in/through discipline
You may know Simon Blattner as a businessman or the consummate community volunteer, but he is also a handmade papermaker. He came to... Continue
How does the mind relate to the body?
After insisting that they were separate entities for at least several millennia, it seems like Western culture is finally coming... Continue
Trash art
You might think there’s nothing less creative than trash. But maybe you haven’t yet met Marie Kneemeyer, the Public Education... Continue
Hi, my name is Charlotte, and I’m not creative
I like to knit, but I always need a pattern. I play the violin, but always to sheet music: I’m horrible at improvising. And I like... Continue
