Feel-good drawing to stress less

WHAT imagery do you imagine when you read the words change, hope and future?

An art project coordinated by Ballarat Youth Services, Drawing the Good, is encouraging young people between 12 and 25 to enjoy the creation of visual art, inspired by any of these three prompts, in a bid to lift their spirits during the pandemic period.

Artist and facilitator, Brodie Kamp launched the challenge for fun, alongside fellow young leader Keegan Guidotti, mindful of adolescent mental health.

“I know doing art can be a really good way to help with really stressful times, which this is for everyone,” he said.

“A lot of people use art as a coping mechanism to confront a problem that they’re going through. But this is about doing art that makes you feel good, and doing something to make yourself happy.”

Kamp and Guidotti chose the prompts, change, hope and future together, as they’re already “major themes” for this decade.

“There are a lot of things changing and a lot of people fighting for change. We need to hold onto hope with everything that’s happening, and the future naturally links into those,” Kamp said.

Any experienced or new artist is welcome to take up the challenge and share their visual art, or an image of it, whether it’s a painting, drawing, digital piece or sculpture.

They can tag their work on Instagram, #drawingthegood and mention @ballaratyouthservices. Entries will be featured on the BYS social channels.

“Don’t feel like it has to be the best artwork. This project is no competition, just a way for people to share cool things and use art to have fun,” Kamp said.

The current cut-off date for entries is Friday, 31 July.