The Vision Behind the Sanctuary: Why Atlanta Creative Arts is Here

In a world that feels increasingly loud, demanding, and disconnected, I didn’t set out to "own" a business. To me, the term "owner" has always felt oppressive. It implies a hierarchy that doesn’t belong in the arts community. Instead, as the founder, creative director, and visionary of a lifelong dream that has finally taken physical form, I have created an Arts Sanctuary. 

Atlanta Creative Arts is my answer to a closing chapter. As we say goodbye to Metropolitan Studios and the Atlanta School of Burlesque in June, I’ve been working with Roula Roulette, the former owner, who has graciously offered the studio's assets to help ensure a smooth transition for our students and community. Metropolitan Studios was the heartbeat for so many dancers; I am committed to keeping that pulse alive—and to making it stronger than ever—in our new sanctuary.  

While we honor the legacy the Atlanta School of Burlesque leaves behind, my goal isn't just to replace what was lost; it is to build something more expansive, more inclusive, and more radical. Atlanta Creative Arts will open our doors as a new sanctuary this July.

A sanctuary is more than just a studio. It is a place where:

• You can fail safely: The learning curve is sacred here. There is no judgment in the process of discovery.

• Healing meets movement: We use art, dance, music, and theater as tools to reconnect with ourselves and each other.

• The stage belongs to you: If you have the courage to step into the light, you are a star. Period.

In 2026, the need for safety in community has never been more urgent. Burlesque is the art of the tease. I want to be clear: tease is for everybody, and Atlanta Creative Arts is not just a femme-forward space.

This sanctuary is built for our entire community. I want our gay brothers and our trans and non-binary family to know that this is their home too. In a time where minorities are often pushed to the margins, we are coming together at the center.

Art is how we survive. It is how we access our most authentic selves when the world tells us to be something else. Whether you are here to refine your craft or to find your voice for the very first time, welcome home. We aren't just teaching performance. We are building a village where art and community intersect to create something life-changing.

The doors open this July,  and we welcome you exactly as you are.