Daily Inspiration: Meet Bree Angela

This creativity of mine has carried me through all of life’s ups and downs. I found my way through my complicated childhood and into high school earning the top Art Award all four years. This carried me through with a scholarship to Pratt Institute where I earned my BFA in Visual Communications Design. This curious nature to want to make within me then led me to take many risks and try numerous different paths as a creative. I tried out what it was to be a graphic designer, a creative director, a screen printer, a fashion designer, a toy maker, a costume maker, a textile artist, and eventually an interactive exhibit designer. Ha! All the while, staying committed to my love for children and teaching creativity and what it means to be a good human with kids of all ages. I simultaneously tried out what it was to be a preschool teacher, an art teacher, and a play based behavior therapist.

Looking back, all of this sounds so random and all over the place. My creativity was everywhere! UNTIL, I had the opportunity to work on an exhibit for a Children’s Museum. Here, it all seemed to come together. I suddenly was able to combine everything that I have dabbled in along the way to create sensory spaces dedicated to play and creativity for children as a Designer for Play. Boom! It all makes sense now. Who knew it was all necessary and part of the plan?! My twisting and winding path brought me to this moment, this version of me. How cool!

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Oh wow – so many struggles! Honestly, I thank my lucky stars for all of them.

Maybe the hardest challenges early on are to prepare us for the strength needed for the rest of life? Perseverance has become my superpower. It has not been an easy journey, especially as an artist. But, all of it was necessary in order for me to see my own infinite potential beyond what seems impossible. As I grow in confidence and maturity, I realize the challenges I face are only as big, loud, or intimidating as my mindset allows. The key to success as a creative is accepting that with a sense of adventure. Keeping a playful mind and putting your heart into why you do what you do, while staying connected to nature and your community makes for some strong armor to any challenge. Bring it!

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a Designer for Play. My imaginative tactile design creates an experience for children to learn through touch and play. The work I produce includes textile and fiber art, puppets, costumes, soft environments, creatures, and all things interactive and touchable. I often work on teams that produce for the commercial art industry. These projects are for fashion, toys, museums, and educational play spaces.

Recently, I have had the honor to design and create the interior spaces for an experiential toy store and creativity center. I am very proud to incorporate the beautiful philosophy of Reggio-Emilia into the spaces and sensory experiences I design. It feels really good to use my knowledge and experience as an educator and play-based therapist as a guiding force for the ideas I create in public spaces. My goals as a designer is to continue to create open ended environments and tactile play things where a child feels safe to create the rules, the narrative, and can build on the learning experience without the influence of the adults. I would love to see more design dedicated to the idea that a child is born competent with valuable ideas and as an equal and participating citizen on this Earth.