Where Creativity Meets Community: Zara Murphy’s Parkside Palette

For Zara Murphy, creativity was never meant to be practiced alone. Through Parkside Palette, she’s cultivating a free, come‑as‑you‑are gathering that invites artists of all ages and disciplines to create side by side in the open air. Rooted in accessibility, gentle accountability, and genuine human connection, Parkside Palette is less about instruction and more about belonging—proof that when people are given space to show up as they are, art becomes a shared language of healing, joy, and community.

Hi Zara, so great to connect with you again. We love the heart behind what you’re building and are excited for our readers to learn more, so let’s jump right in. You’re launching a free monthly community meetup that centers creativity, self-expression, and connection. What inspired you to create Parkside Palette, and what need were you seeing in your local creative community that made this feel important right now?
The inspiration for Parkside Palette really grew from a personal desire to merge my love for painting with my love for people. As a natural extrovert, I found that the often-solitary nature of art-making felt isolating. After talking with fellow creatives in San Diego, I realized many of us were craving the same things: fresh air, accountability, and the energy of a shared creative space. Seeing the success of similar communities in Long Beach gave me the final spark to bring that same magic home. Especially today, providing a space for people to express their truest selves and build genuine human connections feels more essential than ever!

Parkside Palette is intentionally free, open to all kinds of creatives, and designed as a “come as you are” space. Why was accessibility such a key part of the vision, and how do you hope that shapes the kinds of people and energy that show up?
I intentionally kept Parkside Palette free because I wanted to ensure that everyone—no matter their age, background, or creative format—has a place to belong. I wanted to create a sanctuary where the only requirement is an open heart. I hope to see a community where a seasoned painter can sit next to a teenager trying a sketchbook for the first time and find common ground. The goal is to cultivate an open-minded energy that proves we all have something valuable to express. My hope is that our meetups become a melting pot of perspectives where people connect with someone completely different from themselves. It’s about spreading joy through the creative process and building a community that values every story told. I want our energy to be infectious, inclusive, and deeply rooted in love.

The meetup isn’t about formal instruction, but about accountability, presence, and creating alongside others. How do you see shared space and gentle accountability helping people stay connected to their craft in a way that working alone sometimes can’t?
I view Parkside Palette as more than just a meetup; it’s a catalyst for creative breakthroughs. When we work in isolation, it’s far too easy to let imposter syndrome or that inner critic stifle our momentum. Shared space changes that dynamic. By creating alongside others, we find a unique kind of ‘gentle accountability’ that encourages us to keep going. Having a community to lean on for advice or even just a fresh perspective helps us get out of our own way. It transforms the creative process from a solitary struggle into a shared journey of growth and healing.

You wear many creative hats yourself through Groovy Palettes and your own art practice. How has your personal creative journey influenced the way you’re designing this community experience?
My journey has always been about storytelling and connection. I spent years exploring that through filmmaking before transitioning into art education, where I witnessed firsthand how healing the creative process can be. Since 2020, my focus has shifted to painting and creating immersive experiences through Groovy Palettes. Each of these ‘hats’ taught me the same lesson: art is a powerful tool for joy and belonging. I’m taking my love for the craft and turning it into a community experience where everyone has a leading role.

Community-building can be both deeply rewarding and challenging. As Parkside Palette begins to grow, what are you most excited to see unfold, and what does “success” look like for you beyond attendance numbers?
I’m so excited to see the magic that happens when people from different walks of life collide, the organic connections that flourish when people are given the space to be their true selves. For me, success isn’t about a head count; it’s about the ripple effect of the relationships formed—the new friendships, creative collaborations, and genuine human bonds that start on a picnic blanket and grow into something more. On a deeper level, I’ll know we’ve succeeded when the community feels a sense of ownership over the space. If the meetups continue to inspire connection and creativity even when I’m not the one leading the charge, then I know I’ve truly built something meaningful. It’s about finding ‘my people’ and helping everyone else find theirs, too.

For creatives who may feel hesitant to show up, put themselves out there, or reconnect with their creative voice, what would you want them to know before joining you on a Sunday afternoon at the park?
That they are not alone! Creating in front of others can be intimidating, and it is normal to feel nervous. This is a judgement free zone, and there is no pressure–create for joy, not perfection! Come and go as you please.

Please follow the community channel on Instagram for updates on each meet up: https://www.instagram.com/channel/Abaj55lbgMwDPL52/