Meet Michael & Charith Denson of The Monastery AZ

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael & Charith Denson.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Our story at its heart has always been about cultivating creativity. It has unfolded over more than a decade of artistic pursuits, community engagement, and shared vision. We’ve both have had a love for and deep connection to the metro Phoenix art scene. Since moving here we’ve worn many hats within the arts ecosystem: artists, educators, curators, community activators, nonprofit leaders and volunteers, and now full-time gallery owners and creative consultants. The constant in all of our endeavors and what has kept us on this path is seeing firsthand how the arts positively impact individuals and communities.

My (Michael) creative journey began in the high desert of Santa Fe, New Mexico, where I studied photography and fine art before taking a position with the National Parks Service, documenting archeological sites on the Navajo Indian reservation. In 2009, I moved to Phoenix and exchanged my camera for paint and canvas, embarking on a new journey in mixed media and installation art. In 2013 I joined The Rag Collection, a small nonprofit startup, using art as a tool for justice and healing. There, I began designing programs for under-resourced youth—an experience that deeply shaped my philosophy of creativity as a catalyst for transformation.

Charith also came to art through photography. Since 2008, she had worked in the communications department at Food for the Hungry, an international nonprofit serving vulnerable communities around the globe. Her role has taken her to more than 20 countries, where she captured stories and images that spoke to both struggle and resilience. In 2013, she picked up a paintbrush and began developing her own artistic voice through painting and drawing. That same year, she also joined The Rag Collection, where she taught photography and creative storytelling to youth.

And that is where our story began—two artists brought together by a shared belief that art can restore, connect, and empower. Love followed soon after. Together, we began creating art, curating exhibitions, hosting art nights in our home, mentoring young artists, and eventually forming a creative business: Denson Creative Agency. Through this agency we now help other artists, businesses and organizations clarify their vision and tell their stories with creativity and purpose—offering branding, marketing, and communications strategy.

Just this year, March of 2025 we opened The Monastery AZ, a gallery and studio in Peoria. This has been a lifelong dream turned reality that we feel is a culmination of our work. The Monastery is not just a space, it is a philosophy built around the belief that creativity and community belong together. The Monastery AZ serves as a venue for exhibitions, workshops, and gatherings that invite reflection and connection. From expressive arts therapy to figure drawing nights, from immersive installations to artist support, The Monastery is a place where creativity is cultivated and thrives.

When we’re not creating art ourselves we remain deeply engaged and invested in the local arts ecosystem. Whether it’s consulting for nonprofits, supporting emerging artists, or advocating for creative spaces to make cities more vibrant, connected, and…human, our story will continue on because creativity is our way of life.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Like most people, we’ve had seasons that were anything but smooth. Over the years, we’ve both experienced the loss of close family members, add to that the uncertainty and isolation of the pandemic, and the emotional weight that comes with nonprofit leadership roles, where you’re constantly advocating on behalf of others. These are the kinds of challenges that many people face, but they’re still real, and they’ve shaped us.

Now step into this new chapter, starting our own business,The Monastery, building something from the ground up, we’re facing a different kind of challenge. The kind that comes with being a startup: long hours, tight budgets, and the constant learning curve of running a creative enterprise. But through it all, we’ve been incredibly blessed. We’ve felt the steady support of our community—artists, friends, family—who’ve shown up with helping hands, financial backing, and encouragement that truly sustains us. That kind of support means everything to us. It’s a constant reminder that even when the road is rough, we’re not walking it alone.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about The Monastery AZ ?
We run two deeply connected ventures: The Monastery AZ, a gallery and creative studio in Peoria, and Denson Creative Agency LLC, our branding and marketing consultancy for artists, nonprofits, and creative businesses.

The Monastery AZ is our newest endeavor. It’s a physical space that embodies everything we believe about creativity, community, and transformation. It’s part gallery, part studio, part gathering space. We host exhibitions, workshops, creative experiences, and events that invite people to slow down, make something, reflect, and connect. We’re not only a space that showcases phenomenal art, we’ve also created a place where people can grow as artists, as humans, and as members of a community. That’s why you’ll see everything from art exhibitions to figure drawing and collage workshops, live painting to public art engagement opportunities, and unique events and immersive experiences.

Denson Creative is the behind-the-scenes engine. It’s our creative agency where we use our combined backgrounds in fine art, marketing, communications and curatorial work to help other artists and mission-driven organizations tell their stories with clarity and creativity. We offer brand development, marketing strategy, content planning, as well as consulting in program development and audience engagement strategy . What sets us apart is that we don’t approach branding as just design or messaging—it’s identity work. It’s really about helping people show up in the world with authenticity, confidence, and intention.

Brand-wise, we’re proud of building something that feels like us. The Monastery is beautiful, yes—but it’s also honest. It’s not overly polished or intimidating. It’s accessible to people from all walks of life, a place where anyone can show up exactly and experience the beauty of the arts. It’s the reason we chose the name “The Monastery.” We wanted to create a space where people could get away from the craziness of everyday life and just be; to sit in silence, take a breath, and learn or experience how creativity and the arts can be a pathway to healing.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.atthemonastery.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonasteryaz
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565457267719

Image Credits
1. Ernesto Jase Photography
2. Old Soul Imagery