Wellness After Hours: How This Boston Artist Is Redefining a Night Out

Art, movement, and a little room to unwind—The Wellness Club brought together local artists, small businesses, Pilates, yoga, and candle making for a night worth leaving the house for.

Adama Sesay, the artist behind Onyx Art Studios, brought several kinds of creativity into one room with The Wellness Club Night Market & Social. There was artwork to explore, local businesses to shop, Pilates, yoga, candle making, and live portraits. You could join an activity or spend your time wandering around and seeing what caught your attention.

You guys know I love a solo date, and this was perfect.

These are the types of things I always come back to when I’m going out by myself. Give me something to explore, an activity to try, and a few opportunities to meet people, and I can make a whole evening out of it.

When Adama and I first connected, we immediately found common ground in growing up in Brockton. Then we started talking about our separate businesses, and our ideas aligned, too. Through About Us Media, I’m always encouraging people to get out, try something, and see what’s happening around them. So naturally, I wanted to experience what Adama was putting together.

Art in More Ways Than One

I spent a good part of the night exploring artists who were new to me and revisiting work by others I was already familiar with. I also watched a few people get live portraits, which is one of those things you stop to watch for a second and then find yourself still standing there 10 minutes later.

The more I looked around, the more I started thinking about all the different forms creativity takes. The artwork, of course, but also the clothing, the food, the products, and how people chose to present what they had created.

I came to look at art and ended up expanding my own definition of it.

There were so many different ways to be creative represented in the room, and I could take my time getting to know them.

A Little Shopping Happened

I don’t know if faith-based brands are becoming more popular or if I just happened to notice a few that night, but they caught my attention. Among the businesses I explored were Cynnamon Cafe, Inspire Faith clothing—owned by another Brockton native—and OHOS athletic wear, who I’ve seen at plenty of events by now.

At this point, some of these brands are becoming familiar faces, and I love that. Going to different events gives me a chance to keep discovering new businesses while also watching others continue to show up and grow.

Throughout the night i found myself snacking on a delicious cookie that i bought from Avery Bakes, and I also picked up a body oil from Kay.

That Arabian Sandalwood? I’ve literally been wearing it every day.

I love when something I buy at an event actually becomes part of my routine. Now, every time I put it on, I’m reminded that I need to keep up with Kay because I’m eventually going to need more!

Of Course I Took Pilates

There was yoga and candle making available, but I took Pilates with Sam. And honestly, I cannot get enough of her classes.

I love being able to build an outing around something I already enjoy and still have room to discover something else. I could take my class, explore the market, shop a little, and talk to people, all in the same evening.

Adama gave people options, and I appreciated being able to choose what I wanted to do without feeling like I was missing the whole event by skipping something else.

A Little Familiarity Goes a Long Way

I even met a fellow Syracuse University alumna and content creator while I was there, and we immediately had something to talk about. Between that and meeting other people from Brockton, I found a few connections to places I’ve called home.

When I’m out by myself, those little connections always make me feel more comfortable. Suddenly, introducing myself feels a lot easier.

Other than that, I was doing my best to mingle, chat with people, and absorb everything in the room. Sometimes that meant introducing myself. Sometimes it meant browsing and listening. I love being able to do both without feeling like I have to be “on” the entire time.

A Chill Night In… I Mean, Out

Not every night out needs to be at a club. Sometimes you just want to leave the house, enjoy good company, and still have a conversation without yelling over the music.

With The Wellness Club Night Market & Social, Adama brought the comfort of a chill night in into a room full of people and possibilities. You could settle into a conversation, watch an artist work, or try something new without feeling rushed to move on.

A little “come over and hang out” energy, just with a lot more to look at.

Through Onyx Art Studios, she’s making space for the kind of plans we sometimes forget to consider when we say we want to go out. Something relaxed, creative, and social that still feels worth getting dressed for.

What’s Next for Onyx Art Studios?

The Wellness Club Night Market & Social was a one-off event, but Adama has other experiences coming up, including “Espresso Yourself” on October 24 and 25.

Our first conversation made me interested in what Adama was building. Experiencing the Night Market & Social gave me a reason to keep following along. If this sounds like your kind of outing, too, keep Onyx Art Studios on your radar.

We’re always saying we need different things to do. Here’s someone creating them.