Overlooking the beautiful harbour in Santa Eulalia is a fascinating new destination that welcomes all free spirits to come and play together. Its essence is in the title: an atelier is a space dedicated to artistic expression, while a playground is where our inhibitions dissolve in the joy of having fun. Mikki Funk has created this unique space where a variety of artistic activities bring out the carefree enjoyment that we had as children. In fact, there is actually a lovely playground for kids right in front of the atelier that can point the way if you get too serious. The activities are free-flowing, and you don’t have to be an artist to enjoy things like ‘body mapping’, creating a ‘soul collage’, dancing, or just having a coffee and basking in the glow of good vibes. It’s a relaxed space were people feel free to come together with no pretensions. 

Mikki Funk became a celebrated artist at an early age, and her uniquely exciting fine art can be found in exclusive collections throughout the world. That kind of success would be more than enough for most artists, but not for Mikki. She is passionate about continually evolving her art to make it relevant in all areas of life. This has spurred her to create a veritable kaleidoscope of artistic expression that includes dynamic retreats, workshops and online courses. She has also published a series of books about love and the power of art to heal. All of these endeavours are infused with Mikki’s boundless exuberance, and her desire to explore the ways that art can touch us on the deepest levels. 

The Atelier is in some ways a culmination of Mikki’s previous work, and it is grounded in her reverence for the true “Spirit of Ibiza”. Her feelings for the island and its energy are deep and strong. “I am nurtured by this earth, the colour, the wind, and the juiciness! I'm so happy and honoured that I'm allowed to be inspired here." Her new adventure at the Atelier has the potential to bring together a community of artists, art lovers, collectors and all people who want to share the magic that makes our island so special. It also offers a great opportunity for those who would like to invest in Art, as this has always been a stable and powerful investment for future growth.

The word “Playground” is in the name of this place, so it is no surprise that the activities are interactive, artistic, eclectic and Fun! There is a great sound system, and different DJ‘s will keep you dancing with their selections from an extensive collection of original vinyl records. “Body Mapping” starts by lying down on a large sheet of paper and having the outline of your body traced. You then decorate the parts of your “body” with whatever artistic medium you feel - paint, drawings, collage, etc.. The end result can be quite insightful, as can a “Soul Collage” made with cuttings from hundreds of available magazines. You might also learn how to create Mandalas with inspiration from guided meditation. 

These are some of the simple artistic experiences that you can explore at the Atelier. The space will also be open for scheduled events like art exhibits and the launching of Mikki’s incredible new book, “Mandala Magic“. This is a collection of 125 hand painted mandalas, and each one has a soulful haiku that is inspired by the artwork. When I interviewed Mikki for this article I started flipping through the book to get a feel for it… and then I could not stop looking from page to page. The book is absolutely enchanting, and you can use that same adjective to describe the overall feeling of the Atelier at the Playground. Mikki’s vision of how art and life are intertwined has come together at this amazing location, where wonder and imagination find freedom of expression.