THE ART OF YOU i n s i d e t h e j o u r n a l
A person’s innate ability to overcome life's obstacles has always influenced my work as a psychotherapist, art educator, designer, and artist. My first-ever mixed-media installation and exhibit combines words, imagery, and pages from my personal journals and is inspired by what happens internally and in life, showing how engaging in creative expression helps move through, understand, and process it. ~Stefanie Schamber
Stefanie was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, but has spent most of her life in Californaia and has used creative journaling as a means of self-expression since childhood, allowing her to capture her experiences and chronicle her life through images and words. Her undergraduate education in art history, foreign languages, and the arts initially led her to a career in advertising and graphic design at agencies such as Chiat/Day in NY and LA. During this time, she further developed her understanding of the significant roles that words and images play in shaping people’s perceptions of themselves, others, and the world around them.
Before starting a family, Stefanie went back to school and pursued a graduate degree in psychology and art therapy. She has been a licensed psychotherapist in private practice since 2004, specializing in the use of creativity and art as therapeutic tools.
Stefanie is passionate about helping others discover, process, and overcome the obstacles that stand in the way of self-understanding and acceptance. Alongside her private practice, she leads creative journaling support groups and workshops, where she guides individuals in tapping into, deepening, and reconnecting with their creativity, themselves, and each other. In 2019, fueled by her love of travel, culture and languages, her practice expanded to include co-hosting Yoga & Art Retreats in the rural countryside of Italy, as well as one recently near Joshua Tree, California. These events combine mind-body disciplines to connect participants from diverse backgrounds, ages, and countries, offering opportunities to witness others' creative exploration while giving them a better understanding of their own visual language.
About the Installation
Rooted in her life experiences, education, and creative and psychotherapy practices, Stefanie's mixed-media installation is an immersive exhibit, featuring colorful pages from her personal creative journals, inspired by the human experience that connects her personal and professional worlds. A free art experiential offered for all ages at the opening on April 25, 2026, invites visitors to participate and leave their own creative marks, helping to create and combine what will eventually become a visual tapestry of community to be displayed in the The Hive, South Pasadena.
The Hive, South Pasadena shared Lynn Heinz’ exhibition “Expecting to Fly” in its Arc*Hive Gallery space.
It featured new work by Pasadena artist Lynn Heinz, from February 7, 2026 through March 5. The Hive is located at 1118 Mission Street, South Pasadena.
Lynn’s artwork explores themes of memory and how we create our personal narratives throughout our lives. Using hand-drawn “paper dolls” presented in shadow-box and miniature stage set formats, the pieces included in this intimate show explore how girls process the confusion and anxiety of becoming an adult in a world filled with mixed messages and misinformation. The pieces tell the story from the girls’ point of view, using storybook and symbolic, dreamlike imagery.
SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY November 29, 2025
Support local businesses!
We have an entire retail shop full of wares from local artisans, at all price points, for all ages.
Plus, we’ll have free DIY gift wrapping, cocoa, and cookies for those who shop here. 10-5:00 pm. There will be roving musicians and carolers too, thanks to the South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce.
Wishing you safe & happy holidays.
News & Happenings
Anna Berlly opens her first show of her evocative oil and acrylic paintings of female faces and bodies, Saturday, November 15, 2025, 6:00 - 8:00 pm. Her bold strokes and strong colors celebrate the human form.
After 25 years in television production and marketing, Anna picked up a paint brush. It’s been 6 years and she has yet to put it down. Anna’s painting is her obsession, her therapy, her joy, her frustration. She paints faces and bodies of women. Always women.
When she paints, Anna feels she is chasing a feeling of freedom, a feeling that is sometimes elusive in real life. Because “be perfect”, “be pretty”, “don’t be difficult” are just a few of the life-choking phrases running around in her head. With her painting, Anna tries to crush that stubborn programming. She does it with color, energy, movement and chaos.
“These strong, chaotic women exist as they are: bold, imperfect and free,” says Anna. “Let’s all do that.”
Berlly currently sells her pieces at The Hive, South Pasadena, in a variety of sizes and vivid colors. This show is her first.
Previous Shows
Exhibition Details:
Artist: Saida Staudenmaier
Exhibition Title: The Witches You Could Not Burn
Opening Reception: Saturday, August 23, 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Runs Through — September 30, 2025
Location: The Hive, South Pasadena, 1118 Mission Street, South Pasadena, CA 91030
Gallery Hours: Tuesday - Saturday, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM. (Note: Sundays - by appointment)
Amy Elise Roberts — Textile Artist
The Hive, South Pasadena welcomes the solo exhibition of Amy Elise Roberts, "Catrina" at Arc*Hive, Saturday, October 11, 6:30 -8:30 pm, 1118 Mission Street, South Pasadena, CA.
Along with the show, guests are invited to help build a community ofrenda at The Hive by bringing photographs (or copies) and mementos.
Arc*Hive is the baby gallery nestled inside 1118 Mission, intended to share artists' collections or to be a beginning step for artists to step onto the scene. The Hive, South Pasadena is honored to share Roberts’ treasured work, with a vibrant atmosphere and South Pasadena’s creative energy supplying the perfect landing spot for Catrina.
Exhibition Details:
●Artist: Amy Elise Roberts
●Exhibition Title: Catrina
●Opening Reception: Saturday, October 11, 6:30 - 8:30 PM — runs through November 2, 2025.
●Location: The Hive, South Pasadena, 1118 Mission Street, South Pasadena, CA 91030
●Gallery Hours: Tuesday - Saturday, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM. Sundays - by appointment.
Saida Staudenmaier Debuts Solo Exhibition
The Hive, South Pasadena announced the debut solo exhibition of artist Saida Staudenmaier, at the grand opening of Arc*Hive, Saturday, August 23, 6:00 -8:00 pm at 1118 Mission Street, South Pasadena, CA. The artist explores sisterhood, triumph, and resilience in her intricate work with dioramas. Staudenmaier's work is known for its vibrant colors and evocative themes with vintage photographs and cigar boxes. This show marks a milestone for the artist, who thrives as a professional makeup artist, allowing her to publicly share her signature style and present a curated, cohesive body of work to the public for the first time in a dedicated solo setting.
The exhibition featured works with personal art journalled pages and vintage photos in cigar boxes, highlighting Staudenmaier’s use of color, visual effects, and perspective, depicting personal delight, strife, and bonds.
Arc*Hive is the baby gallery nestled inside 1118 Mission, intended to be a beginning step for artists to step onto the art scene. The Hive, South Pasadena was honored to be the venue for this important moment in Staudenmaier's career.
News + Happenings
We were really excited about the Intimate show Wednesday, Sept 10 at The Hive, 1118 Mission Street in South Pas. Light snacks and drinks offered. -bc
What's The Hive? It's a vibrant, interactive space where creativity and community connect. With a new retail space supporting local female artisans and their makings, the studio thrives on the idea that art-making is not just an activity but can also be a journey of self-discovery, healing, and connection.
News + Happenings
The D.U.D.E.S. and the South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce held a community-wide potluck to offer a day of relief, laughter, food, and music in Garfield Park. We were happy to be included, and brought our arts & crafts set up.
SPARC and The South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce asked us to design and decorate the town's holiday tree! We were so honored.
White sparkling lights flowed down from a multi-dimensional golden star to ribbons of different colors from our rainbow spectrum, and finally landed on silver stars, loaded with hand-written wishes by the friends all around us.
Lighting was Thursday, December 5th, it was up and lit until January 7, 2025.
Happy, safe, and healthy holidays to you and yours.
May all your wishes come true.
