The online drawing experience for organizations, teams, families and groups.

Re-connect and re-imagine through the restorative power of the creative process.

“Drawn from Within” is an online creativity workshop that explores through the medium of drawing, spoken word, poetry, and group discussion, the relationship between inside, outside, creativity, and the imagination. The experience provides entry into the creative mind, enhances team connection & distills creative principles that can be applied in multiple domains.

Clients Include:

NO DRAWING EXPERIENCE OR ART BACKGROUND NECESSARY!

Drawn from Within is a fun, participatory & meaningful exploration into how creativity works- a restorative and inspiring way for teams to connect & reunite, either remotely or from back at the office.

This is not a technical drawing exercise but an experience in enlivening the imagination & accessing the creative capacity of body & mind.

Thousands of guests- over 1000 five-star reviews.

Drawn from Within invites spontaneity and surprise! So the best way to learn about the experience without compromising that surprise, is to read what previous guests have said…or just come along!

So much more than just a drawing class. This experience is a delightful mashup of introspection, philosophy, poetry, and psychology. I walked away humbly challenged to think more deeply about how my engagement with the outer world influences the quality of my inner world.

— Renee, Austin TX.

True to the shining reviews I read prior to signing up for the experience, it was the highpoint of my week. Ben is a kind and encouraging teacher, attentive to each person in a group and where they are geographically and in their life. A gifted person as well as teacher. It was exactly the positive experience I needed!

— Susan, ER Travel Nurse, Wyoming.

"Acutely relevant and inspiring"

— Lexi, Sydney, Australia.

It can be a bit of a minefield when searching through thousands of suppliers for an online event. There's so many options out there and it can be hard to know what will work in a virtual setting, and whether the host will be engaging or if everyone will switch off after 5 minutes! Thankfully Ben's 'Drawn from Within' class came highly recommended, so this already put me at ease and gave me confidence that the event would be a success! But Ben exceeded all expectations - and some! He is such a joy to deal with, and made the planning and execution of the event completely stress free and straightforward. The team I work for absolutely LOVED the session, and I had glowing reviews from them for weeks on end. (They still talk about it now!) It's the perfect tonic for the crazy times we are living in, and I can definitely say that we all walked away feeling more relaxed, grounded and enlightened. I've since raved about Ben to anyone that will listen - so much so that I should basically be on commission!

— Hannah, Administrative Business Partner - Google UK.

Ben's experience was just what our company needed. First Fridays are our monthly all-company meetings and we needed a change to inject some calming and creative energy into our team. The meeting delivered on all fronts. From Ben's tenor & VO through the meeting to the activities themselves, the team left feeling refreshed with a more optimistic outlook on our businesses for 2021. I'd certainly recommend Ben's experience to company's and teams looking to do something outside the norm, but applicable to business.

— Aana, VP of Marketing and Customers, Popular Pays, Chicago IL.

I booked a private experience for a team building exercise and it exceeded expectations. We definitely took away new ideas that we can bring back to our day jobs, but it also allowed us to explore the things around us in a more meaningful way. We all bring some form of creativity to our work, but often it gets lost in process. This experience allowed my team to think about creativity in a different way and determine how that creativity can be transferred to every-day conversations. It was also a great way to learn more about our teammates in a different way than a team meeting or virtual happy hour would allow. Overall, a great experience that I would recommend.

— Rachel, Senior Content Marketing Evangelist, Linkedin.

This was the second time I have 'Drawn from Within', last time with my team from Spotify and this time with my family. As expected, it was quite a magical experience, leading each of us to reflect on our creativity, individuality and self. What a gift! Ben has a beautiful way of weaving together story, ideas, sharing, and art. Thank you so much again for creating a wonderful experience for my dad and siblings. My dad was gushing afterwards! This is the best gift I could've hoped for :) Thanks again Ben. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, I hope you're taking a bit of a break to give yourself the gifts you give to all of us!

— Alia, Agile Coach Manager at Spotify, Brookyln, NY.

Ben made my heart rate slow down and made me feel creative, and that is what I needed. He made everyone feel welcome, artistic, accomplished, and relaxed. Loved the stories, the quotes, the personalization. Everyone got to show their art, and he gave positive feedback to all participants. (Bonus: I like that he waited until the end to show us his work so we didn't feel bad - he's talented!) Loved the positive feedback, loved the hyper-personalized acknowledgements (like remembering our quotes)

— Allie, National Ambassador at Amazon Web Services.

This was the BEST experience! Ben was a phenomenal, knowledgeable, entertaining, personable host who made us feel like we were in the same room despite being behind screens across the world! I left feeling inspired, closer to my team, and excited to keep drawing from within!

—Daria, Lab Manager, Washington, District of Columbia.

"A breath of fresh air in this pandemic. What an amazing journey Ben takes you through with just pencil and paper."

— Dosanna, Los Angeles CA.

This experience was so much more than drawing an object in front of you: Ben also teaches that how you look at the world impacts how you represent what you put on paper. That what results from control differs from surrender, artistically and emotionally. It was a very calming and cerebral approach to creativity, made better by Ben's warm and welcoming demeanor!

— Elena, Senior UX Writer, YouTube.

"I've been looking for a team building activity that was interactive and creative. There's a lot going on in the world and at work/home. Being able to step out of that and immerse ourselves into something different was important. My team was worried about lack of art experience but you really don't need it. Ben helps you discover that drawing really does come from within. He was genuine, approachable, knowledgeable about the process of being creative; and it really felt as though we were doing the class with an old friend. We did this activity in the middle of a busy work day, everyone was frazzled but we left feeling refreshed and recharged. I can't recommend this enough. The experience was magical."

— Kimmie, VP Product Growth, Fastly. Berkerley, CA.

"Ben’s session was delightful! Our team wanted to step away from work and into another world from a moment; Ben carried us away! We deeply appreciated his approach to both art and communication. We all agreed afterwards that we could have stayed for several hours. It was a very relaxing and insightful experience. Highly recommended!"

— Justine, Product Designer, Linkedin, San Francisco CA.

"This was an amazing experience that I would recommend not only to those who like to draw, or like art, or appreciate art - but for those who need to adjust their mindset in this very busy and combustible world we seem to be in. Ben was knowledgeable and friendly. Great to give us perspective about what we see - and what we "see" - it was a wonderful experience that I shared with my daughter who is on the other side of the US. Allow yourself the grace of this experience - you won't regret it. When we left the class, I immediately called Meredith. (video call) She was crying. I said, "Mon petite' - why are you crying?!" With a laugh and cry she responded, "I don't know - it just felt like I got so much out - and I really needed that."

— Simone, Montana.

Book this class now!! Absolutely loved our drawing experience with Ben, he was a wonderful, engaging host who made my teammates and I feel really comfortable and inspired, even though several of us considered ourselves to be terrible drawers. The exercises were simple and fun and Ben’s narration about the magic of drawing the outside from within was really calming and meditative. Ben is a fantastic artist and teacher. Highly recommend for team building or as an activity to do with friends or family!!

— Stephanie, Toronto, Canada.

Ben offers an accessible, warm, and psychologically resonant experience of the art making process, a combination both rare and unique. As a psychotherapist with very little art training, I left the class feeling enriched with a new perspective. Ben is a thoughtful teacher who is sensitive to your comfort level, yet who can skillfully push you to develop new skills, and more importantly, a new way of seeing things. I would highly recommend this class to anyone who is interested in not just creating art, but enjoying and deepening their own creative process!

— Ida, Psychotherapist, Encinitas, California.

"Wonderful session for all skill levels... Ben's a pro and an exceptional artist as well. My Dad really enjoyed this session too. Just was reading an article about the importance of art for all ages and how it engages a different part of one's brain... with covid and our requirements to keep socially distant, this was a great way to find another way to engage him. Highest recommendation."

— Rhondha, Saratoga, California.

"Ben offers drawing exercises that are inviting, engaging, and surprising – and that describes the experience as well! The exercises build on one another and are profound in their simplicity, amplified by Ben’s narrative which introduces metaphorical distillations of art theory, and peppers in quotes by Rauschenberg, John Berger and Dolly Parton! All very eye opening in every way. For me, Ben’s experience was refreshing and revitalizing. I enjoyed the way Ben invited guests to share and talk about their work – I felt very connected to the group. It was especially fun to attend with my daughter –another group and couples were there as well – bring your friends."

— Karen, Writer and teacher, West Hollywood, CA.

"We had an amazing and fulfilling experience with Ben, and we could not be more grateful. Our group had such an uplifting time exploring our creative inspirations, and gained unique and unexpected insights about how we perceive the world and how we relate to our surroundings. We bonded, we laughed and created really impressive works of art - despite the fact that most of us were total novices or not artistically inclined at all. Ben is a very excellent facilitator, an incredible host and an outstanding artists. We were SO impressed, it completely surpassed all of our expectations and my wife had an amazing birthday treat. We couldn't recommend Drawing From Within with Ben Ponte highly enough. Thank you so much Ben! Thank you for the magical evening. We are so excited to bring more art and more fresh perspectives and news ways of thinking into our lives."

— Artem, Brooklyn, NY.

“Brilliant! You absolutely don’t need to be an artist to enjoy this experience. Loved listening to Ben and would jump at the chance if he ran more workshops. It was beautifully crafted.Thank you so much Ben, absolutely loved it! Especially being totally out of control and seeing what came out of that! Fabulous.”

— Amber, Saint Neots, United Kingdom.

“Ben is an inspirational teacher and artist. He lead my family of all ages (age 13 to 80) through an imaginative experience we could all share together. Ben is truly passionate about his craft which makes it more interesting for everyone to really engage and focus. This experience is really fun for groups and I would highly recommend it!”

— Reny, Mill Valley , California.

"This is more than just unlocking inner creativity, it is almost like therapy without the cringe factor. I felt a light bulb moment during the class about my personal life and self. I’m not sure why drawing helped me reach an epiphany but it did. If you’re hesitating don’t, at the very least you will learn something about yourself and make new friends."

— Desiree, Anesthesiologist, Calgary, Canada.

“So many amazing things to say about Ben! He is one of a kind and really brought our Adobe team together during a dark time where we are all so separated. Besides his outstanding and genuine personality, his experience is extremely calming and informed me on my inner creative spirit as well as information around drawing I definitely didn’t know beforehand. You’ll leave this experience learning more about yourself, your mind and the inner child within you :)”

— Liz, Solutions Consultant- Adobe, New York, NY.

"Wow! This was a totally new experience for me. How drawing can nourish the soul, energise the mind & free tension. Ben holds this space so beautifully & takes you on a journey of discovery to enexpectedly meet with discomfort, then find trust & joy in what is already naturally within. Such a nourishing & surprising experience. Thanks Ben. You really have something special. Thank you sharing it with us. You're a bloody Champion!"

— Kimberley, Alice Springs, Australia.

"Ben offered a fantastic experience. The exercises that he created provided a SENSE OF PEACE during these uncertain and tragic times.* We all had time to share what the objects that we drew meant to us emotionally, which felt incredibly cathartic and helped us all connect to what other people are feeling. I would definitely recommend this experience to anyone who needs moments of active reflection while pushing boundaries a little bit in terms of what one can do technically in a drawing. Five stars!"

— Julia, dancer and performer, Mexico/New York.

We did this as a virtual team building exercise for 15 of us who are in 5 different countries on two continents. Many of us have never even met face to face. Ben’s session was incredibly engaging and everyone had an incredible time. Over the hour we learned a lot about each other, ourselves, and the creative process I highly recommend this to anyone wanting to better understand the artistic process (even for those of us who don’t see ourselves as artists!). The group really enjoyed the session and you are an amazing facilitator. I will certainly recommend this to anyone looking for a unique virtual activity!

— Colleen, Alberta, Canada.

"My company was looking for a year end activity to thank the team for a great year in the face of pandemic adversity. Ben hosted an Experience that was top tier entertainment. The attention to detail, energetic hosting, and quality of the instruction was instrumental in the success of this event. The team left the event with FANTASTIC energy that was palpable, even over Zoom. I would highly recommend Ben as a host of any event you'd like to hold for friends, family, or coworkers."

— Mitch, Sun Prairie, WI.

"WHAT A WARM, WELCOMING AND INSIGHTFUL CLASS! I am experienced in drawing and I still learned some insight and was inspired to pick up my conte crayon again after the gentle, engaging, encouraging, and empowering session with Ben. Whether you have drawing skills or not, he will help you and others see how special your work is as it comes from within."

— Gretchen, Kodiak, Alaska.

"Ben has created an experience that dives deeper than drawing lines on a page. It taps into what it means to be a human being in this world. This drawing experience starts with curiosity, being in the space of not knowing so that new possibilities can be generated... Once you tap into curiosity, Ben brings you into the cognitive process of what you are experiencing visually. You may come to realize that everyone has their own way of viewing the world and that this interpretation of our human experience doesn't stop with vision. What is it that we see? What is it that we don't see or purposely omit? What you forget shapes your experiences just as much as what you remember. Our human experience is not simply our observations and analysis. How can you experience that part of your mind that is not your analytical decision making mind? Ben takes you through a drawing exercise that does just that. Once you're in that part of your mind, Ben masterfully pulls into focus the distinction between what you see as memory versus what you see as a direct experience. One of the best group learning experiences I have had."

— Rich, Motivational Coach, Gurnee, IL.

"I really enjoyed the "Drawn from Within" experience with Ben! He was very patient, personable, and encouraging with my artistic endeavors. The way he explained art was like an existential experience as I learned to appreciate how to look at things from different perspectives. I highly recommend this one hour activity with Ben if you want to immerse yourself within a creative and therapeautic experience."

— Carolina, Operations Manager, Next Request Software.

"This was such a special experience! A gentle but powerful shift in perspective towards celebrating the minutiae and yourself."

— Kelly, Dublin, Ireland.

“I had amazing time with Ben and everyone who attended this experience! I recommend this experience who wants to feel entering zone, practice meditation, beginner of drawing and English. And I really felt like I traveled somewhere like NY Thank you so much, Ben! I felt very connected to the world. ベンさんや参加者の皆さんと過ごした時間はとても素晴らしかったです。スケッチの練習を数ステップし、メインのスケッチに進みましたが、集中しすぎて他の方の声が聞こえなくなったくらい。ゾーンに入りたい方、瞑想の練習をしたい方、スケッチ初心者や英語初心者にもおすすめです。不思議ですが、ニューヨークに行った気持ちにもなりました。きっと新しい人々と出会ったからかもしれません。世界と繋がっていると感じました。"

— Yume, Tokyo, Japan

"I gave my mother 4 tickets to this event for Christmas and I think it is the best gift I ever gave her!! She cannot stop raving about it. It was the PERFECT coronavirus gift for a person who can't get out and misses events! She invited 3 friends from all over the country and they had such a good time! One of them sent me a personal thank you card saying it sparked a love of drawing and she now has a sketchbook open on her kitchen table! All the way around fabulous! Highly reccomend."

Emily, Chapel Hill, NC

"This experience was introspective and personal, while also being a great way to meet others and find out about them. The narrative Ben wove through the experience made me think deeply about the part of art that is the inner world of its creator, and not simply look at a drawing as a representation of the outside world. It’s just the right conversation of self-reflection for this time of solitude in the world. I definitely recommend this."

— Tracy, Cornelius, NC.

"Absolutely brilliant experience. So fun and inclusive. I loved every moment. ”

— Linda, Team building with Google Aarhus, Denmark.

"Whether you're looking to get the creative juices flowing, or just engage in some fun and fresh ways to re-envision your everyday surroundings, I highly recommend Ben's "Drawn from Within" experience. Ben is warm, laid back, and seemed to genuinely enjoy leading our sketching session as much as we enjoyed participating in it. I’d recently been yearning to reconnect with my past love of drawing but had been finding it difficult to start, and often ended up feeling frustrated and defeated before I even began. Ben’s sketching exercises put the fun back in drawing (at times I was literally laughing as I drew!), and provided simple ways to better sense and appreciate the connections between our drawings and our inner selves."

—Andra, Greenwich, Connecticut, NC.

"Ben's class was truly wonderful! Ben was charming, knowledgable, engaging and kind. I didn't expect to feel so moved. A few takeaways that I am still pondering is that drawing can be meditative, all objects have meanings, and what we draw is a reflection of who we are. Ben mentioned that he should be coming out with a second, longer online experience soon. I will be keeping my eyes open for it."

— Maritza San Francisco CA.

"I highly recommend signing up with Ben. His way of orienting you to the layers of your personal creativity is uplifting, awe inspiring, and refreshing. I experienced such a sense of connection because how Ben’s drawing exercises beautifully “illustrated” my relationship with life. We are lucky to have someone of his caliber so accessible. I will definitely sign up for his classes again."

— Leah, Tucson, Arizona.

"I thoroughly enjoyed my hour of Drawing From Within with Ben. I came away with a new way of observing and translating the world around me. This is a lot to achieve in an hour! I would say he has a light touch on the reins but as an experienced teacher and communicator you don't realise how much you are absorbing. You don't have to have any previous drawing ability to gain a lot and to start seeing things differently. I also enjoyed being taught from within Ben's studio and seeing his work on the walls. Altogether I had a delightful time and it was exciting to be connected to an artist more than 5,000 miles away!"

— Lucia, Artist, London, England.

"This. Was. Amazing. It was like your ideal coffee, therapy session, vacation, spa massage ALL IN ONE! Yep, it's that good!"

— Tzipora, Monsey, New York.

"If you are searching for a unique experience with a true artist, this is for you! Ben makes you realize things about art, drawing, perspective and your relationship with objects that only a thoughtful artist can do. He will open your eyes and make you see things from a different angle."

— Gabriella, Author, Brussels, Belgium.

"Ben's class is amazing! I live in California but he was able to simulate a warm, studio-esque virtual experience from his NY studio. His gift of story tell takes you through particular moments of art theory and blends it with the practicality of one's daily experiences. Not only will you walk away with a unique appreciation for the but you'll be left with several gems of wisdom. My favorite from today was 'you have to get lost to find your way again'"

— Morris, Rialto, California.

"This experience was fantastic, especially for work team building. Ben was incredibly kind and enthusiastic. For those who did not have a lot of experience with drawing coming in to this experience, Ben really helped open their eyes to their own abilities and shed light on what it means to draw. I would definitely recommend this experience for work groups."

— Renee, Guatemala.

"I highly recommend this special experience with Ben. My 3-yr and 5-yr old were really into the sketching and it was just such a lovely thing to do as a family! Ben creates a friendly, warm, open, and encouraging atmosphere that pulls everyone in, making this an even better experience. Ben, this was just so wonderful. It was really the highlight of our week - the girls still talk about it!"

— Karin, San Francisco, California.

"Ben is truly wonderful. I did this experience as a date night with my boyfriend and we learned more ourselves and each other during the experience. Ben walked us through several exercises to give us insight into how we interact with our environment and ultimately with ourselves. I would highly recommend this experience to anyone. It would be great as a family activity, girls night activity."

— Tracy, Miami, FL

"We are travelers by nature. Due to COVID and life circumstances, we haven’t been able to get out of our small town which leaves us feeling a bit world weary and soul-starved in our art. Our time with Ben was of the same level of quality and authenticity as art classes we have taken in Liverpool, Edinburgh, and Florence. It was like taking a breath of fresh air. Not only did we enhance and rejuvenate our art, but we had a soulful connection with someone we can now call a genuine friend. It’s experiences like this that make traveling worth it and when one cannot travel, people like Ben, who go the extra mile, make you feel as if you’ve just returned from a trip to a new land. It’s something that not only made my husband’s birthday spectacular, but gave me a genuine sense of connectedness, rest, and recharged in my everyday life. This is an invaluable experience for anyone to take part in. Thank you Ben for making this such a spectacular and soulful event."

—Shelby, San Angelo, Texas.

"A wonderful moment with drawing, most important: you helped me realize that I have an "eye" on my hand."

— Xiao, Beijing, China.

"If art & thinking are your cup of tea then drink up! Ben’s drawing experience is a chance to see inside a New York artist’s studio, and possibly, within yourself. The teacher possesses both technical experience and theoretical background to explore drawing both practically and analytically. Not to mention - good chat, and a fun way to spend an hour. I’ll never look at my living room the same way again. And feel inspired to whip out a sketch every now and then to see how I feel about something and connect with my own unique perspective."

— Lexie, Sydney, Australia.

"I did this experience with colleagues and it was simply awesome. I am CEO of a UK based tour operator called Explore. Needless to say the last 10 weeks have been challenging for me and my team. It has been full on. I was looking for something in which my team and I could connect and have just a short time escaping everything that is happening right now. Ben is a thoughtful, engaging and fun teacher who manages connects with everybody and guides the uninitiated through an hour of drawing and learning. Lots of laughs and insights about each other along the way. Everyone of my team have since emailed me independently thanking me for the experience. Highly recommended for colleagues or friends. super fun."

— Joe, CEO Explore, London, England, full disclosure- I might be related to this guy!

"Ben's virtual drawing class is a wonderful and unique way to spend time with friends and family that may be afar while getting in touch with your space, perceptions, and creativity. I booked a private experience for my family to celebrate mothers day. Ben is friendly, easy going, and knowledgeable and magically works to minimize the awkwardness of Zoom. My mom was thrilled and we all had a great time :)"

— Juliette, Mothers Day celbration in San Francisco CA.

"Ben did a phenomenal job in facilitating the "Drawing from Within" Experience. He genuinely generated the energy of compassion, wisdom, and community throughout the class, asking every individual thoughtful questions and addressing remarkable characteristics of every drawing. He also emphasized the rotation between external stimuli and internal imagination when drawing, which deeply captivated my interest. Additionally, he showcased his work (the class unanimously volunteered for this #humblebrag moment), which was extraordinary. I felt that I was able to know him on a deeper level through his art. Thank you, Ben, for this one-of-a-kind opportunity to draw from within!"

— Kristi, San Luis Obispo, CA.

"This was even more than I was hoping for. Ben helped me, in the kindest, simplest, friendliest of ways, to find the courage to explore inside and outside of myself- I’m so glad I did."

— Lauren, Camus, WA.