Local artist and Art Bloc Sausalito owner Rachael Staudt blends her background in art, community-building, and business to create spaces where creativity and connection thrive. With experience as both a data analyst and a creative, she brings an analytical eye and an artistic heart to everything she builds.

How did your creative life lead you to The Art Bloc Sausalito?
My path to Art Bloc came from realizing how vital creative coworking spaces are—especially after the pandemic. I was part of the ICB community in Sausalito, and that experience showed me how much we need one another as artists. I’ve always been drawn to the idea of salons—spaces for sharing ideas, inspiration, and life—and wanted to recreate that for my local creative community.

What shaped your artistic point of view?
During university, I once broke the “rules” of a class exercise, and my professor used it as an example of what not to do. Ironically, he became my mentor. That experience taught me to let go of perfectionism and embrace experimentation—less preciousness, more honesty, and freedom.

What’s special about the neighborhood and community here?
Art Bloc is located on Sausalito’s working waterfront, one of the last of its kind on the West Coast. The area blends industry, maritime work, and creative energy—it’s a space where makers, artists, and locals all intersect. Through my work with the Economic Council of Sausalito, I’ve seen how important it is to preserve affordability and accessibility for creatives in this community.

What kind of space inspires you—and what do you hope visitors feel here?
I’m inspired by open, light-filled spaces filled with tools, texture, and energy. At Art Bloc, I want visitors to feel welcomed, grounded, and free to explore their creativity—like stepping outside of time. It’s about removing barriers to entry and creating conditions that invite you to begin.

What can visitors expect when they create here?
Art Bloc offers a space to loosen up, to focus, and to breathe. Whether you’re a professional artist, a curious beginner, or returning to creativity after years away, it’s a place to reconnect—with your work, your instincts, and a community that inspires you to keep exploring.