Benefits of art therapy on exhibition for all to see

As the South West Voice starts to leave the HandyBelles art studio, a super excited Lukas Dovecer turns to us and says: “I love painting, I want to do it for ever.’’

We have just finished interviewing Lukas and his sister Tiana, who is also on the spectrum.

Both attend HandyBelles for art therapy sessions with their art therapist Abigail Ristevski, pictured with them above.

Lukas’s mum Michelle and dad Renato tell us they couldn’t be happier with the NDIS art therapy being provided to their two children over the past year or so.

“Tiana and Lukas look forward to art therapy so much,’’ says Michelle Dovecer.

“Art therapy has helped my children immensely, especially with their anxiety. They both feel so happy when they do art therapy as it takes their minds off things that make them feel sad.

“They both have a creative side and art therapy makes them feel like they are accomplishing something positive.’’

Both Tiana and Lukas got their creative bent from their father, but Mr Dovecer seems too modest to talk about himself or his artistic work.

Lukas, who is the youngest of the pair at 20 years of age, has really embraced art and the way it gives him direction in his own life.

It was he who came up with the idea of painting a series of art works for a special exhibition in the HandyBelles studio in the Hub at Gregory Hills.

A Camden Council seed grant enabled the exhibition to go ahead, with works from Lukas and other participants in the art therapy program at HandyBelles on display.

The owner of the studio is Jodie McGuren, who also runs Opera in the Barn and was Camden Woman of the Year in 2020.

Abigail Ristevski says the exhibition – held during Mental Health Awareness Month – was a big hit, attracting more than 100 people on the first day when it opened last weekend, pictured.

“Everyone was so happy, but none more so than Lukas,’’ she said.

While the art therapy sessions have produced good results for the participants, seeing their work on exhibition was on another level

The parents of these two creative youngsters, Lukas and Tiana, can’t thank their art mentor enough for changing their lives for the better.

“It makes such a difference that their teacher, Abigail, is so wonderful with them,’’ says Mrs Dovecer.

“More people should be made aware of this great program, the only one I think in this area, being provided by Abigail and HandyBelles.

“Our two children are so much better for it.’’

In future, more people like Lukas and Tiana will be reached across South Western Sydney through art therapy, with plans for the exhibition to become an annual event.

“We have seen first hand the benefits of art-making and art therapy for the mental health of our clients and we wish to make this service known and accessible to the Macarthur area through the presentation of an annual exhibition,’’ says Ms Ristevski.

“The idea is that people living with disability in the Macarthur region have a space and event where they can exhibit the art work they have created throughout the year. It will also enable them to engage with other likeminded artists from HandyBelles and from the wider community.’’