Elementé Gallery: Where Creativity, Calm, and Community Meet
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Seneli Ranaraja
In a quiet corner of Pelawatte, Elementé Gallery stands as more than just an art space; it’s a sanctuary for creativity and connection. Founded by designer and art director Seneli Ranaraja, the gallery was born from a simple but profound idea that art should be a wholesome experience.
“Art has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember,” Seneli says, recalling, “As a child, I always loved creating, painting, crafting, or simply finding joy in colours. Amma encouraged that curiosity deeply both for me and my sister, and it shaped who I am today.”
After years in design and art direction, Seneli wanted to create a space that celebrated the same joy of making. “I realised I wanted to create a space that brought that same joy and freedom of creation to others,” she explains. “Elementé began from the idea that art should be a wholesome experience, not something distant or intimidating, but something that connects people, inspires calm, and celebrates the act of making. It’s a space where creativity, wellbeing, and community meet.”
A Gallery That Invites Participation
Unlike traditional galleries that focus solely on exhibition, Elementé invites participation and play. “Elementé isn’t just a gallery it’s an experience,” says Seneli. “Here, you can walk in, paint, learn, or simply be surrounded by art that speaks to you. Whether you’re an artist, a beginner, or someone simply curious about textures and colours, you belong here.”
That inclusivity, she believes, is what truly sets the gallery apart. “We’ve bridged the gap between a professional art space and an inclusive creative community.”
At the heart of Elementé lies a philosophy summed up in their phrase – ‘equipping you to create, limitlessly.’ For Seneli, this means removing fear, “the fear of the blank canvas, the fear of not being ‘good enough’.” She continues, “Art doesn’t have to be perfect; it just has to be yours.”
The Curator’s Eye
Curating Elementé’s classes, workshops, and exhibitions is an intuitive process for Seneli. “I always begin by asking, ‘What will inspire someone to create today?’” she says. Each session is chosen not just for its aesthetic appeal, but for the experience it brings.
The gallery’s core pillars, freedom of expression, creative and innovative thinking, and creative problem-solving, guide every decision. Collaborations with external professional artists add depth and diversity, allowing visitors to learn from “many creative voices, not just mine.”
But perhaps the most rewarding part of her work is witnessing transformation. “When someone walks in saying, ‘I can’t draw,’ and leaves proudly holding a painting they love, that’s magic to me.”
Inside Elementé. Pix by M. A. Pushpa Kumara
Building a Creative Community
Since opening its doors in 2021, Elementé has grown into a thriving community. “Our community has grown beautifully, from children who started with basic art classes and are now exploring advanced techniques, to adults who come to unwind after work or celebrate special moments through creativity,” says Seneli. “People often tell us they come for the art, but stay for the experience, for the calm, the laughter, and the people they meet.”
For her, the gallery’s impact extends far beyond aesthetics. “Art is deeply healing,” she reflects. “It allows people to pause, to breathe, and to reconnect with themselves. It’s not just about the final piece; it’s about how you feel while making it.”
Sip & Paints with a Difference
A sip and paint experience. Pic Courtesy Elemente Gallery
Among Elementé’s most popular experiences are its Sip & Paint events. “They’re designed to feel like a moment of pause,” says Seneli. “Each session is curated around a mood or theme such as sunsets, underwater worlds, or botanical evenings, where guests are invited to paint, sip, and simply be present.”
The focus isn’t on getting the painting ‘right’, but on enjoying the process. “We add our signature touch through the atmosphere, music, lighting, materials, and the warmth of our instructors. It’s an evening that feels elegant, yet relaxed; curated, yet free.”
The Future of Elementé
Looking ahead, Seneli envisions Elementé evolving into “a space that celebrates all forms of creative living.” Plans include introducing pottery and lifestyle-inspired home creations, a way of weaving art into everyday life.
“In the next few years, I also envision taking Elementé overseas,” she says. “The goal isn’t expansion for scale, but connection, to bring our philosophy of mindful, experience-based art to new audiences who value creativity, calm, and beauty in the everyday.”
Even as the digital world transforms the way people experience art, Seneli believes in balance. “Digital platforms allow us to reach wider audiences, but nothing replaces the tactile, immersive feeling of being in a physical space. For Elementé, it’s about blending both worlds, sharing our story online, while keeping the in-person experience rich, sensory, and memorable.”
The Art of Gifting
Elementé’s art experience gifting options, from vouchers to curated sessions, are an extension of the gallery’s philosophy. “We realised that many people want to give experiences, not just objects,” says Seneli. “A gift that encourages someone to pause, create, and connect is more meaningful than something that sits on a shelf.”
To her, “Gifting art is gifting presence. It’s an invitation to explore, to express, and to feel.”
Beautifully designed boxes hold vouchers that can cover a single Sip & Paint session up to four, with prices starting from LKR 6,500. “The packages include everything needed for the experience, materials, guidance, and, most importantly, the invitation to create without limits.”
From birthdays and anniversaries to corporate thank-yous, these gifts reflect what Elementé stands for: creativity, connection, and meaning.
At its heart, Elementé Gallery is more than a creative studio; it’s a community where art meets wellbeing, where people rediscover the artist within, and where, as Seneli says, “anyone, at any stage of life, feels inspired to explore their creative potential.”
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