SHARE: How MPMG Nurtures Its Creative Spirit
The team shares what feeds their artistic soul outside of work
Laura Murray:
My creative spirit finds its deepest nourishment in two very different but complementary pursuits. In the kitchen, trying a new recipe with a favourite playlist humming in the background is an act of joyful experimentation; a reminder that creativity flourishes when we embrace the unexpected—happy accidents included. And as a voracious reader—fiction and non-fiction alike—books are how I feed and restore my creative mind; giving it space to wander, to daydream, and to lose itself in worlds beyond my own.
Brian Paterson:
Having previously discussed making music, let’s talk about my nerdiest hobby: Dungeons & Dragons. This collaborative, improvised storytelling game has been a constant in my life since high school—a reliable source of laughter, imagination, and genuine connection across the decades. I currently run one campaign as Dungeon Master and play in another (both with the wonderful Andrea Loewen of Presentation House Theatre!). Each week, I get to step into a different world, embody a different character, and creatively engage with mysteries, puzzles, and even the occasional dragon. It’s equal parts escapism, creative exercise, and community—and I love it.
Angela Poon:
My tried and true method of nurturing my creative spirit is by being in community with others. Whether this is through an arts and crafts project with my kids or a paint night out with friends, it’s the company that adds meaning to the activity. A recent favourite was an ‘art style’ party where we each selected a name and a theme (impressionism, pop art, etc.) and had to discreetly paint a portrait of a party guest in a particular artistic style. The end-of-the-night reveal was filled with lots of belly laughs and a feeling of deep connection.
Sijia Cheng:
Outside of work, I try to step away from screens and return to the small rituals that help me slow down and feel more grounded. I like spending time building LEGO and puzzles piece by piece, or taking care of a little apartment garden. In a world that moves so quickly and digitally, there’s something wonderfully refreshing about the satisfaction of fitting things together, watching something grow, and making something real with my hands. It keeps me curious, calm, and creatively in tune with myself.
Bronwyn Henderson:
As an actor, much of my free time outside of work with MPMG is devoted to creative pursuits, so I feel fortunate that the arts already play such a central role in my life. That said, I’ve found it especially fulfilling to explore creative activities that exist outside of my professional ambitions. I’ve always loved drawing and painting for that reason: they offer a creative outlet with no pressure to turn the work into a career. The result doesn’t need to be “good” or productive—what matters is the simple act of creating something purely for myself.
Andy Warner:
I consistently sign up for classes in creative disciplines that I never expect to like or excel at. For example, I once thought clown training was a bit of a lark—until I took a two-day intensive with Necessary Shenanigans and loved it! I’m not joining Cirque du Soleil anytime soon, but I still reflect on the lessons I learned that weekend. They taught me tools for checking in with my body and breathing, challenged me to overcome insecurities, and empowered me to connect with others in more meaningful ways. I walked in expecting clown-nosed makeup tutorials and left feeling like I had completed a year of therapy. Nowadays, I seek out opportunities to surprise myself and welcome your suggestions for what I should try next.
Categories: MPMG