I first studied Special Youth Care in Duffel, and after a few more detours, I graduated as a Bachelor in Family Sciences.
I started my professional career at Ons Tehuis Brabant in Kampenhout. After 15 years I explored other horizons in De Klink in Diegem, Het Maria Boodschap lyceum in Brussels, Familiehulp Brussel, Het Kolveniershof in Leuven and De Berken in Overijse.
My creative backpack was filled during my studies and with walk-in weeks at my creative colleagues in Ons Tehuis Brabant. Where I was immersed in a different material in each studio (10 different ones). I also followed workshops at Denies Van Loon (Papierexpressies), An Van Hentenrijk (Calligraphy), De Banier, Pot & Papaver and many other creative organisations.
Why do I do what I do?
After all these years as an employee in the social sector, I wanted more freedom, more participation, more space, more creativity, more interaction, more opportunities to work according to my own rhythm, enthusiasm and insight. To set the bar high with as much positivity and enthusiasm as possible. No, not to achieve perfection! But to offer my clients a meaningful creative daytime activity in which we can grow together, gain inspiration, learn from each other and above all have fun together.... Something that is quite successful in the meantime. Wanne, Isabelle, Frederik, Sieglinde and Vincent come to the studio on Monday, Wednesday or Friday. We have been going out together for several years now.
Under the motto: one day you will find the job of a lifetime and because inclusion is high on my list, I give workshops to groups and Jan met de cap in addition to a meaningful daytime activity for people with a mental disability. In this way I might be able to realise my ultimate dream in the future: offering inclusive creative workshops!
In the meantime we are not sitting still. New projects are coming our way. For example, we are thinking about the development of an inclusive effect at the Court of Bavaria. Starting somewhere in 2021!
That's why I do what I do, yes, with great enthusiasm!