By Renee Wood
A special holiday program is running in January, offering kids the opportunity to learn about their feelings through art.
Facilitator Bec Filliponi started All The Feels Therapeutic Art Program in 2019 after seeing a lack of accessible services for children in the Upper Yarra.
“As a social worker, I was working with a lot of high risk young people and adults and thinking about what would be helpful as an early intervention model reduce mental health issues and other issues later on in life.”
The three hour event will include Ms Filliponi and two artists Julie Gebbing and Catherine Byatt at a Wandin studio to discuss emotions through art and learn how to express and regulate how they’re feeling.
“Using art is always a good medium because it’s creative, and there are no rules, and you can’t fail it up. And a big focus is also on increasing self worth and confidence, so it’s always good for that as well.”
Previously the program has run as a weekly program however, it has changed to single sessions in school holidays due to the pandemic.
Ms Filliponi said she’s noticed big changes from students after they experienced the sessions.
“They get much more comfortable with admitting their emotions, having less shame about their emotions and just feeling more comfortable – more playful, and they’re more energetic, they’re more willing to take risks. So their self-confidence and their emotional literacy really increases throughout the program.”
The program was also recently successful in receiving a grant from Yarra Ranges Council of $10,000 which is going towards reducing the costs to allow more families to afford the program.
“Accessibility is really, really important and if we had to charge people how much it costs for our time, and all the art supplies, then there would be families that couldn’t afford to get support for their children and I don’t think that that’s okay.
“So it means that everyone can access, support and wellbeing, joy and fun learning about how great they are, because that shouldn’t be something that you can’t access just because you don’t have the money.”
It’s $15 for the session, with four sessions running in the school holidays at Lime Door Studio in Wandin.
Art Project 1 – Treasure Chest:
Tuesday 18th January 9:30am
Tuesday 18th January 1pm
Art Project 2 – Fantastic Fun Fidgets:
Wednesday January 19th 9:30am
Wednesday January 19th 1pm
Booking Link: https://www.trybooking.com/BWBUD
