Unique State: an original impression unlike any other.
A place to collaborate, communicate and create.
A safe space to explore Creative Arts Therapy.
Facilitated by an artist/ art therapist to foster creative well-being.
Connecting with community to explore printmaking with peers.
ABOUT U/S
Art Therapy at Unique State is facilitated by Elaine Sullivan (Camlin) and shaped with her background in visual arts. Each session values the use of materials and play, highlighting and understanding the importance of creative well-being and art for health. Elaine is a practicing exhibiting artist with extensive experience working in and with community, she has experience working with children in foster care, working with artists at The Art Factory: Supported Studio, multicultural communities, in education systems, and fostering creativity for young families through the Young at HeART program at Wagga Wagga Art Gallery. Elaine has a keen interest in supporting neurodiverse children and teenagers and facilitates programs for participants accessing the NDIS.
Elaine's art practice values mark-making as a meditative activity, with regular creativity helping to regulate the fluctuations of life. She holds a Bachelor of Visual Arts from the ANU School of Art, Bachelor of Arts (Visual and Performing) (Honours) from CSU and a Master of Therapeutic Arts Practice from the MIECAT Institute. Elaine is a current professional member of the Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association (ANZACATA), the peak professional body representing creative arts therapists in Australia, New Zealand and the Asia/Pacific region.
U/S VALUES
WHAT IS CREATIVE ART THERAPY?
Trained Art Therapists facilitate the exploration of feelings, improve self-awareness and reduce anxiety with creative processes, including drawing, writing, clay, drama, and movement. Participants are guided to explore and express feelings that may be difficult to articulate in words and to find new pathways to healing. A Creative Arts Therapy session is therefore quite different to an art class or lesson.
These methods are innovative, participatory and practical: they provide a supportive space for participants to 'try on' and practise new behaviours, and this can be more effective than merely talking about change. Creativity harnesses the imagination and a sense of play. This can help those who have limited choices in their life to use the safe space of the therapeutic environment and want to:
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learn to tolerate the uncertainty of the unknown, and
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become more comfortable to be able to improvise and
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open up new possibilities in their lives.
