Author Archives: Carla

Renee Sweetman – Boon Wurrung Singer and Songwriter, Songwoman.

Artist’s Biography Renee Sweetman is a proud Boon Wurrung & Yorta Yorta woman living in the Bass Coast. She is a singer/songwriter and has performed at major events including the Blaktivism concerts at the Melbourne Arts Centre in 2022 and … Read More

Jasmine Susic – contemporary dancer – improvisation, installation performance and dance theatre.

Artist’s Biography Jasmine Susic is a Bass Coast based contemporary dancer with an interest in improvisation, installation performance and dance theatre. Feature image credit: Tyson Butler Dance images credit: Karli Michelle   Jasmine completed her training majoring in Contemporary Dance … Read More

Jeremy Grace – Juggler and Magician.

Artist’s Biography Jeremy has been entertaining Australians for the last 35 years as a juggler, magician, singer, dancer and compère. Performing in public spaces, private functions, theatre restaurants, tropical islands and entertainment centres, he has enthralled both small groups, and crowds … Read More

Kim McDonald – Visual and Performing Artist, Experimenter

Feature image photo credit: Karli Michelle Artist’s Statement Kim is a practicing interdisciplinary artist with a background in printmaking, drawing and performance. Working across disciplines her art practice is experiential and experimental with her work encompassing the contrasting roles of … Read More

Alisoun Neville – Expressive Arts Therapist

Artist Statement I moved to Milowl in 2022, responding to a lifelong call to live near the ocean coupled with a completely awestruck love of the island waters here. In recognition that this is Boon Wurrung country, and the responsibilities and … Read More

Annette Spinks: Artist, Inspired by Water.

Artist’s Biography Annette Spinks is a popular exhibiting artist whose works are held in private and corporate collections throughout Australia and Internationally. Two paintings from Annette’s latest “Waterfalls” series are featured in the local artists exhibition at At the Inverloch … Read More

HADASSAH LILY – Expressive Therapist & Educator

Hadassah Lily works in independent practice as an Expressive Therapist & Educator. She provides therapeutic companionship and guidance for couples, children, families and schools. Facilitator’s Statement I have over 20 years’ experience working with children, adolescents and families in private … Read More

PLAYBACK THEATRE LIVE AND REAL with A/Prof Drew Bird

Playback Theatre – Live and Real     The Creative Mental Health Forum and Collective Care Retreat is delighted  to welcome Associate Professor, Dramatherapist Drew Bird as a specialist workshop presenter at our 2024 event in Boon Wurrung Country, Inverloch. … Read More

COnnect in a CO-creative space in one of our workshops – something for everyone

Inverloch’s new Pop-Up ART CO is providing plenty of opportunity to get your creative holiday juices flowing with a range of creative workshops suitable for adults, teens and children this Summer. Come along and enjoy a co-creative atmoshere where you … Read More

COme on in and enjoy Inverloch’s pop-up ART exhibition featuring local artists

The former accountants offices in the heart of Inverloch are being re-invented as a colourful, vibrant, artist-led space for local artists to exhibit their art work and connect with visitors to beautiful Boon Wurrung Country this Summer holidays! Feature image: … Read More

Mandy Gunn – Eco-Artist and Craftswoman

Artist’s Statement   I have a long history of working with a variety of recycled materials e.g. printed papers such as shop bags, wrappings, music sheets, cardboard and books; burnt out inner tubes, road kill echidna quills, found metal, natural … Read More

Martha Silver Breninger – Sculptor and Painter

Artist’s Statement “I express my life’s journey through my creativity, using paint, felt, clay and other mediums. I have a deep connection with the healing powers of art and doll making”   Artist’s Biography Martha Silver Breninger is a professional … Read More

Experience the Practice-led, Creative Approach to Supervision with Dr Carla van Laar’s “Supervision Studio”

Art is a Way of Knowing There is a difference between making art to “express something”, and making art as a form of inquiry, using creative process as a means of knowledge production – employing art as a way of … Read More

BIRTHING THE NEW PARADIGM, TOGETHER with Marianne Wobcke

Birthing the new paradigm, together.     Hosts of the 2024 Creative Mental Health Forum are honoured to be joined by Indigenous Midwife, award wining Arts and Health Practitioner and PhD Researcher, Marianne Wobcke, as a special guest facilitator. During … Read More

Experience the Creative Mental Health Forum and Collective Care Retreat with Dr Carla van Laar in 2024

We’ve done it! Changed the name of our forum to better reflect the true nature of this event – “collective care”. Are you a mental health professional looking to explore the power of creative approaches in your practice? Do you … Read More

IMAGES OF MATTER AND WHAT MATTERS TO YOU with Anja Zimmermann

Images of matter and what matters to you?     Historically, people labeled with intellectual disabilities (ID) have experienced stigma, discrimination, segregation, social isolation, and violence. Until today, social justice in a sense of barrier free possibilities for belonging to … Read More

WELCOME TO COUNTRY with Yowengerra / Yalluk Bulluk

    Yowenjerra/Yalluk Bulluk Consultants provide a very open look into the culture of the Boon Wurrung. Yowengerra/Yalluk Bulluk would like to invite you to attend a traditional Welcome to Country so that you can walk with ease on these … Read More

RECRUITING A CREATIVE OR EXPERIENTIAL THERAPIST TO YOUR TEAM?

Introducing PACFA’s College of Creative and Experiential Therapies     Dear Employer, Team Leader, or Manager, Introducing PACFA’s College of Creative and Experiential Therapies   I am pleased to inform you of the establishment of the College of Creative and … Read More

FELTING FIBRES INTO BEING with Megan Fromholtz

Felting Fibres into Being     The sensory nature of felting has many appeals to all ages, abilities and situations. Whether you are creating felt yourself, to use in imaginative play, or guiding clients through the felting journey to find … Read More

ARE YOU A WONDER WORKER?

Feature image above published by the Inverloch RSL: Members of the Inverloch RSL participating in the new “Ocean /Art Mindfulness” wellbeing program for veterans, proudly funded by the Department of Veterans Affairs.  Are you a Wonder Worker?     I … Read More

SUPERVISION STUDIO – Online Creative Practice with Dr Carla van Laar

WATCH MY 2 MINUTE INTRO TO SUPER VISION STUDIO https://vimeo.com/811512264?share=copy SUPERVISION STUDIO with Dr Carla van Laar is an online, small group supervision session where we focus on using creative and collaborative processes as ways to connect, explore, problem solve … Read More

IMPROV EXHIBITION and WELCOME COCKTAIL DINNER PARTY

   DRESS TO EXPRESSAND BRING YOUR ARTFriday 5th May 2023 At our Welcome Cocktail Dinner PartyAnd Improvised Exhibition. Step 1: bring your art5pm at the Inlet Hotel Step 2: dress up and come to the party6.30 – 8.30pm at the Inlet Hotel You are … Read More

WHAT’S BENEATH OUR FEET? with Melissa McDevitt Weston and Carla van Laar

What’s beneath our feet? Cultural awareness in Australian Nature-based Arts Therapy For Arts Therapists wishing to practice Nature-based Arts Therapy in Australia, Cultural awareness is essential, and can become a deeply healing experience for Country, Traditional Owners and Arts Therapists, … Read More

POST TRAUMATIC PLAY and SAND TRAY THERAPY – presentation and workshop with Sharon Duthie

“Post-traumatic play – children speaking the unspeakable through play.”   There are often no words to describe the terrifying events, nor the words to express the deep sense of loss – the multitude of losses – that result from childhood … Read More

Developing an Inclusive Practice with Lucian Marine

Developing an Inclusive Practice     Let’s explore ways to cultivate a more inclusive practice that affirms LGBTQIA+ and gender non-conforming communities. Together we will deconstruct dominant narratives thinking about how they serve or dis-serve. Have you felt hindered or … Read More

SEVEN LIVED EXPERIENCE STORIES of making meaning using art therapy

Seven lived experience stories of making meaning using art therapy – three years later, a creative follow up     The international journal of art therapy published our article ‘Seven lived experience stories of making meaning using art therapy’ in … Read More

ESSENCE OF PLACE – evocative sound journey with Nicky De Gruchy and Peter Baird

Reset your vibration with a restorative sound journey performed by Nicky and Peter at this year’s Creative Mental Health Forum and Self Care Retreat. Essence of Place sound journey Nature recordings, crystal bowls, chimes, percussion, live instruments guitar and voice … Read More

LEADING IN SONG: Playful ways to create community with Michelle Morgan

Have you ever wanted to include sound or song in your work, but just haven’t quite felt confident enough? In this experiential workshop, we’ll explore what helps people to feel safe to make sound together. We’ll engage in some playful … Read More

THE EMERGING COLOUR OF A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE with Leeza Stratford and Alieta Belle

Explore the emerging colour of a different perspective while watching the cauldron boil     In a gentle, hands on workshop we hold a sense of openness to what bubbles up in the moment as we explore the creation of … Read More

EARTH ART OFFERING with Melissa McDevitt Weston

Earth Art Offering – introducing Ochre     Image: “Earth’s Flow” 2022 by Melissa McDevitt Weston. This piece was inspired by how Mother Earth creates such beautiful images in the shapes, colours and textures of the land and waterways. The … Read More