“Every day is a creative journey.” – Barbara Albasio
Today on La Vie Creative, I sit down with the incredible Barbara Albasio, founder of Sensi Ateliers and Creative Attitude, to explore how art and the senses can reconnect us to our inner child and help us live more creative, fulfilling lives.
Barbara’s work invites people — from corporate leaders to curious dreamers — to rediscover creativity through workshops that blend painting, movement, music, sculpture, and play. Her mission is simple yet profound: to remind us that art is for everyone, and that reconnecting with our senses is the key to happiness and collaboration.
From Corporate Stress to Creative Flow
Barbara founded Sensi Ateliers more than 20 years ago after leaving the corporate world. “I came from big companies where people were lost in routine,” she explains. “I needed inspiration — and what inspired me most was art and nature.”
So she began creating immersive art workshops for professionals, helping teams break down barriers and rediscover connection. Through painting, sculpting, acting, and singing, participants let go of titles and roles, and instead connect human to human.
“When you sing, dance, or create something together, you open your heart. You forget hierarchy and rediscover trust.”
These sessions not only bring joy but also spark innovation and teamwork — measurable results that ripple through entire organizations.
The Healing Power of Art
Barbara believes creativity is one of the most powerful antidotes to stress.
“It’s the best anti-depression medicine I know,” she says. “Creating something with your hands, body, or voice makes you feel happy — it’s deeply satisfying.”
In her sessions, even the most reserved executives begin to play, laugh, and experiment. Barbara’s secret? A gradual build-up of trust and playfulness that allows people to step outside their comfort zones without fear.
Daily Rituals for Reconnection
For those too busy to take a full workshop, Barbara suggests a five-minute daily creative ritual:
🧘♀️ “Thank your body,” she says. “Look at your hands, your feet, your fingers — notice how they move. Offer gratitude for each part of you.”
Other simple practices include:
- Watching clouds or reflections in water
- Noticing the patterns of coffee drops on your cup
- Observing light and shadows as if you were seeing them for the first time
“Kids do this naturally,” Barbara reminds us. “As adults, we forget to look with wonder.”
Aquamour: A Love Story with Water
Barbara’s creativity also flows through Aquamour — a global artistic movement she co-founded to celebrate water as a symbol of love and creativity.
What began as a world tour exploring humanity’s relationship with water soon became a documentary and a traveling festival, with editions held on the Island of Elba, in Brittany, and most recently, in Venice — the city of water and love. 🌊
“We wanted to show how other cultures protect and celebrate water,” Barbara says. “When you care for water inside you and around you, you care for life.”
The Aquamour Festival brings together artists, scientists, musicians, and environmental advocates to create a 360-degree sensory experience — from choral performances to hands-on workshops and exhibitions.
Creativity as Connection
When I asked Barbara to define creativity in a single sentence, her answer was perfect:
“Creativity is the art of making connections — with yourself, with others, and with the world — to give birth to something new.”
And that’s exactly what Barbara embodies through everything she does: connecting people, ideas, and the senses to create meaning, beauty, and joy.
Connect with Barbara
🌍 Sensi Ateliers
💧 Aquamour Association
💡 Creative Attitude
🔗 Barbara Albasio on LinkedIn
📸 Instagram: @aquamourfestival (and @sensiateliers)
