By Danielle Kutchel
Covid-19 has opened up new opportunities for a passionate brother-sister duo, allowing them to spread their message of mental wellness and community connection further and wider than ever before.
Josh and Eden Carell founded Littlefoot and Company, a creative events and art therapy organisation, almost three years ago from their living room couch.
Originally, they organised monthly spoken word poetry nights at Bunjil Place to give people a place to express themselves creatively.
The nights were incredibly popular, and the duo had plans to find their own art space this year – but those plans were scuppered when Covid-19 hit.
Still keen to facilitate a space for people to engage in art and community connection, the duo made the switch to online with the help of Eden’s videographer partner, Jason, and the results have been better than they expected.
They’ve reached an audience that was previously inaccessible, including those who were unable to make it to Bunjil Place for the in-person events.
People from as far away as America and Spain have submitted videos to the duo’s Facebook Live fortnightly spoken word poetry events, while others across Melbourne have felt comfortable enough to film and reveal their talents and passion.
For each session, they invite the public to submit recorded videos of themselves in advance which are then edited into a live-recorded show that Eden and Josh host to the camera, again from their living room.
The end result is a unique online community that supports healthy wellbeing, vulnerability, inclusion and ultimately – a safe space for self-expression.
“When we first discussed the idea of going online, we had no idea what we were doing,” Josh admits.
“Our goal was to facilitate a safe, supportive space for performers and the audience.
“It’s been great, we’ve been able to reduce barriers for people to participate.”
Budding poets have shared stories of their isolation journeys, and Josh says they’ve had the privilege of watching friendships form through the pixels.
In addition to spoken word poetry, Littlefoot and Company is offering an online art space on Saturday mornings.
The sessions are interwoven with the principles of art therapy and are led by Eden, who is a qualified art therapist.
The siblings have used the money they saved to buy their own art space to instead buy art supplies to give to those who lack access to them.
During the Saturday morning sessions, Eden provides a theme or directive for participants and encourages them to create their artistic piece.
Participants are able to connect with each other through the chat function on Facebook live, reducing their feelings of isolation.
Art resources are also posted on the Littefoot website for those who can’t make the sessions.
Josh says the online events fit right in with their company’s ethos.
“Our priority is mental wellness and a safe supportive environemtn, and we’re able to still carry that on and give people that space.”
It’s full circle for the siblings who find themselves back in their living room where it all began – creating a safe space from their couch.
They still hope to find their own art space in future, and dream of providing free art therapy to the community – but Josh says the dream looks a little different now, with perhaps a blend of online and physical sessions to allow them to reach those who need them.
To find out more, visit www.facebook.com/liitlefootandcompany/ or www.littlefootandcompany.com.au/
