This is a qualitative, mixed-methods study that focuses on the experiences of pre-service teachers in an art methods for non-majors class. The purpose of this study is to describe the process of transforming pre-service elementary teachers’ apprehensive feelings and experiences about creating art. An examination of play, Thirdspace pedagogy, and contextual exploration within a humanistic approach all inform this study. The dataset exposed themes of apprehension and reluctance to art-making, community building, preconceptions about art and art-making, exploration, non-prescribed outcomes, learning from mistakes, and identity. The results of this study show evidence that explorative methods can alter the conceptions and approaches to art of pre-service teachers in an art methods for non-majors course. As a researcher, it is my hope that this study will impact art educators’ views of teaching art methods courses to non-majors.