The journey of Crayerxo from a small workshop to Canada's leading creative studio
Crayerxo began in 2018 as a small weekend workshop in a converted garage in downtown Toronto. Founded by Emily Chen, a former corporate designer who left her career to pursue her passion for nurturing creativity in others, our studio was born from the belief that creative expression should be accessible to everyone.
The name "Crayerxo" comes from combining "crayon" (representing simple, accessible creativity) and "XO" (symbolizing the love and care we put into our teaching). Our founding principle was simple - to create a space where people could reconnect with their innate creative abilities without judgement or pressure.
Within our first year, our weekend workshops expanded to weekday evening classes, and soon we moved to our current location in Toronto's Art District. What began as a single instructor teaching basic drawing has grown into a team of specialized creative professionals offering expertise across multiple disciplines - from traditional fine arts to creative business development.
At Crayerxo, we believe that creativity isnt just for "artistic people" - it's an essential human quality that everyone can develop with the right guidance and environment. Our mission is to help individuals and organizations unlock their creative potential and apply it in both personal and professional contexts.
We're committed to making artistic development accessible to people from all walks of life, regardless of their previous experience or perceived talent. Whether youre picking up a paintbrush for the first time or looking to turn your creative passion into a thriving business, Crayerxo provides the supportive community, expert guidance, and professional resources you need to succeed.
Our teaching philosophy centers on three core principles:
As we continue to grow, we remain dedicated to our core mission while expanding our impact. Our recent launch of the Creative Business Conference series represents our commitment to helping artists and creators build sustainable careers around their passions.
We're excited to announce that in 2026, we'll be opening our second location in Vancouver, bringing the Crayerxo experience to Canada's west coast. We're also developing our digital platform to make our workshops accessible to creative minds across the country and beyond.
The passionate professionals behind the Crayerxo experience
Founder & Creative Director
With 15 years of experience in design and art education, Emily left her corporate career to create a space where creativity could flourish without boundaries. She oversees all creative programming and leads our business development workshops.
Master Pottery Instructor
A graduate of the Ontario College of Art and Design with over 20 years of ceramics experience, Daniel brings technical expertise and a calm, encouraging teaching style to our pottery program.
Business Development Coach
Combining an MBA with her background in fine arts, Sophie specializes in helping creative professionals develop sustainable business models around their artistic practices.
Community Outreach Coordinator
James works to make Crayerxo accessible to diverse communities across Toronto, developing partnerships with schools, community centers, and local businesses.
We believe everyone has creative potential, regardless of background or experience level. Our studio welcomes all and creates environments where diverse perspectives can thrive.
While we embrace experimentation and "happy accidents," we also value technical skill and craftsmanship. Our instructors are experts in their fields who continue to develop their own creative practices.
We're committed to environmental responsibility in our studio practices and to helping creative professionals build sustainable careers and businesses.
Creativity flourishes in connection with others. We foster a supportive community where ideas can be shared, connections made, and collaborations born.