The Monastery AZ is an artist-owned and operated venue dedicated to fostering creativity, community, and personal growth. It’s a space where creativity is sacred, and every visit offers a chance to connect with your inner artist. Through a combination of rotating art exhibitions, artist-led workshops, interactive experiences, and events, The Monastery offers a unique environment that encourages artistic exploration, spiritual grounding, and self-reflection.
At the Monastery, we’re not just about making art; we aim to help you discover creativity and the arts as a pathways to well-being. We believe that everyone has a creative spark, and our mission is to help you uncover and ignite it. Whether through collaborative projects, personal reflection, or community engagement, The Monastery is a place where creativity thrives, and people come together in meaningful ways.
Meet Michael & Charith, the owners and visionaries behind the Monastery.
Michael & Charith Denson are the owners and visionaries behind The Monastery AZ, a creative space in the arts district of downtown Peoria where art, spirituality, and community intersect. With backgrounds in nonprofit leadership, international development, and the arts, they are passionate about creating environments that foster creativity, healing, and meaningful connection.
What We Offer
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Curated Experiences
Participate in immersive events designed to inspire and connect.
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Art Workshops
Learn new techniques and deepen your skills and process with guidance from our resident and guest artists.
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Self-Guided Explorations
Engage with materials and ideas at your own pace in our pay-what-you-can Open Studio, third Sunday of every month.
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Open Gallery
Visit our artist studios and gallery, meet the artists, and experience the creative energy of The Monastery firsthand.