Welcome to the Color Castle!
We are an innovative mobile 'paint-your-own-pottery' studio that combines art with immersive theater, providing a one-of-a-kind experience for young people and families in our community. Led by founders Alex Risotti and Iris Imaginoria, we have created a magical world where creativity and entertainment intertwine.
At The Color Castle, we believe in the power of the creative process. Our team is made up of trained actors who bring enchantment to every moment.
Step into our fantastical environment where our Color Queen, Iris Imaginoria, accompanied by her faithful Color Knights, entertains guests of all ages and artistic backgrounds. Prepare to embark on a captivating journey that will spark your imagination and ignite your artistic spirit.
As colorful as the rainbow she's named after, Iris Imaginoria (she/her) embraces all of the colors in life. She earned a PhD in theatre from Louisiana State University, an MA in theatre from Florida State, and a BA from the University of NC. Her hobbies range from jewelry-making and scrapbooking to extreme coloring (she currently has over 300 digital mandalas colored on her phone - that's kind of extreme). She has organized immersive theatrical summer camps in five different states over fifteen years and danced for peace on three continents. As the published author of seven plays, a tarot deck, and one novel, her words speak volumes. She recently taught in a more traditional classroom, but for now she's excited to bring arts education to new venues.
Xyla, the Creativity Pirate, aka Alex Risotti, (they/them) is ready to inspire ideas and get you motivated! As a creativity pirate, don't worry about them stealing ideas from you... they have plenty of their own!
Xyla has Masters degree of public health and a Bachelors of Arts in Anthropology from Northern Arizona University and a Bachelors of Science in Political Science from Northern Arizona University. They are a dancer, dreamer, musician, poet, and visionary. They also specialize in tutoring special needs students across all grade levels including students living with ADHD, low vision, difficulty hearing, dyslexia, autism, and cPTSD. The inspiration for The Color Castle came to Alex after they suffered a great personal loss, when their dear husband died suddenly in January 2023. This spurred Alex to bring beauty into the world. They are the brains behind the business.
We have embraced the 'en plein air' concept, offering a picturesque outdoor setup with tables and chairs for participants to paint their own pottery pieces. Immerse yourself in the beauty of nature while indulging in the joy of artistic expression. And the best part? You can take your masterpiece home the same day, instantly cherishing the tangible result of your creativity.
Find us at an event near you and experience the magic of The Color Castle firsthand. Check out our upcoming schedule to see where we'll be spreading creativity and wonder. Whether it's a local fair, community festival, or special occasion, we bring the art to you.
Art is for everyone!
"We are two queer, disabled, and proudly neurodiverse individuals."
What is neurodivergence?
The way their brains work is often considered a hindrance by society's standards but is absolutely an advantage in this creative industry.
“What Does It Mean to Be Neurodivergent?
Judy Singer, a sociologist who has autism, started using the term "neurodiversity" in the late 1990s. It refers to the concept that certain developmental disorders are normal variations in the brain. And people who have these features also have certain strengths.”
“Neurodiversity advocates suggest there’s too much attention on the impairments that come with conditions like ADHD. They think a better approach is to focus on what someone’s good at, not what they lack.”
“For example, there’s some evidence that:
People with ADHD have high levels of spontaneity, courage, and empathy. They can hyper-focus on certain tasks.”
“… people with ADHD may have trouble with time management. But they often show high levels of passion, drive, and creative thinking….”
“Those with autism pay attention to complex details, have good memories, and show certain "specialty" skills. Experts think this can be an asset in certain jobs, such as computer programming or music. As noted by one researcher, Wolfgang Mozart had strong music memory and absolute pitch.”
Keri Wiginton “What Is Neurodiversity?” Web MD, https://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/features/what-is-neurodiversity
09/05/2022.
