Play at the heart of art-full boxes

THE latest project of artist, Emily Van Der Molen champions the creativity of people other than herself.

Her 2D Boxful of Art program encourages children or adults to “shut out the bad news” and carve out time in their lives to be creative, with the guidance of Van Der Molen, who has a teaching background.

“It’s essentially ten video art lessons delivered to your inbox, and all the supplies you need for them delivered to your door; fun treasures, interesting papers, pencils, bits and pieces,” she said.

“This is the launch Boxful of Art program, revolving around making a beautiful, lush and full art journal, containing the creative journey we will go on in the lessons. It will become a resource and keepsake to hold onto, too.

“The lessons are for all ages and stages, and the play element of art-making is at the heart of them. It is easy to lose sight of the value of play in our lives, but this concept brings it back, because it is good for us.”

Holding strong beliefs that every person has a valuable creative voice, “despite what the world tells us,” Van Der Molen aims to empower Boxful participants to embrace and nurture the artistic abilities they have within, and trust their instincts.

“We’re all creative and can take an idea wherever we want to. Having a journal means they have a private space to explore their ideas, try things and close the cover away from a public environment. Some people can be nervous about others seeing their work,” she said.

“I present a designated activity, and then they can take that somewhere else, wherever they want to go with it, having the flexibility to immerse themselves in the making process.

“It’s important for us to be creative for our wellbeing and to feel balanced. Art-making is an excellent antidote to the worries of the world, both as an escape from it, and as a way of processing our feelings. Making art is fun, and we all deserve a dose of that in our lives.”

As a mostly 2D artist, Van Der Molen is obsessed with bright, intense colours.

Involved with community projects, you may have seen her Christmas Windows installation on Lydiard Street in December last year.

She’s just finished work for the Royal Children’s Hospital 150th anniversary initiative, Me and UooUoo, and is the former operator of Ballarat’s Make Art School.

Van Der Molen now runs private lessons in her home studio space with a handful of students, outside of restrictive COVID periods.

Ten Boxful of Art bundles are available this round, with a second lot – themed differently – planned for later in 2020.

Visit emilyvandermolen.com.au.