The Times Australia
Fashion and Beauty

.

Tricia Paoluccio designer to the stars

  • Written by Tricia Paoluccio

The Case for Nuturing Creativity in the Classroom, and in our Lives

I am an actress and an artist who has had the privilege of sharing my work across many countries, touring my show Here You Come Again, which I co-wrote and star in, and teaching creative workshops on the art of flower pressing throughout the US, Europe and the UK, and soon, across Australia.

While flower pressing and theatre might seem worlds apart, they are deeply connected for me. They both came from early childhood passions,  passions that blossomed fully during the pandemic, when many of us turned inward to rediscover what truly matters.

As a little girl, I fell in love with Dolly Parton. I would wear out her records, mimicking her voice over and over again. I was lucky to be encouraged: I sang in school choirs, entered talent shows, performed in school plays, and eventually moved to New York City to pursue a life in theatre.

Around the same time, I also discovered flower pressing. My brother made me a homemade flower press, and I started crafting greeting cards and collages. When I moved to NYC, I brought those pressed flowers with me, using them to sell my art while chasing auditions.

I’m so grateful that I had the chance to explore those creative impulses as a child. What may have seemed small or silly,  singing like Dolly or arranging petals on paper, turned out to be the seeds of a lifelong career.

Here You Come Again has now toured internationally, employing hundreds of people along the way. And my pressed flower art has grown into a real business: teaching workshops, collaborating with designers, and most famously, becoming part of Oscar de la Renta’s viral pressed flower dresses — including the Taylor Swift Grammys gown and Anna Wintour’s Met Gala dress. I’ve designed wallpaper, tabletop collections, and even rugs. I’ve learned about licensing, business, production — all from the same creative spark that started in childhood.

That’s why I believe so strongly in protecting space for creativity in young lives.

Every time a child scribbles on a page, sings a song, mimics a dance move, or invents a play in their living room, they’re not just passing the time. They’re building a relationship with their imagination, one that may someday shape who they become, whether professionally or simply as whole, expressive people.

In the UK, fewer students are taking creative subjects, while schools scale back on music and art to make room for test-based learning. In the U.S., entire districts have eliminated the arts. And in parts of Australia, creative programs are often the first to go when budgets are tight.

This isn’t just about education budgets. It’s about what kind of people we’re helping raise. Creative expression isn’t fluff it’s a tool for reflection, resilience, and human connection. And we can’t predict which quiet child doodling in the back of class might someday create the next masterpiece that moves the world.

During lockdown, when everything felt uncertain, what saved us? For many, it was stories, films, series, music, art. We weren’t just consuming it, we were making it. I began teaching flower pressing classes on Zoom, and thousands of people around the world joined in. I saw people slow down, connect, and take pride in creating something beautiful with their own hands.

We often talk about “wellness” in terms of food and fitness. Creativity belongs in that conversation too. And it doesn’t require fancy supplies or professional talent. It can be a notebook, a glue stick, a school stage, a flower tucked between pages. A moment to make something. To feel something.

It doesn’t matter if someone becomes a professional artist or not. We all have an artist within us that deserves to be nurtured. Making something beautiful, just for the sake of it, is healing. It has value.

Creativity isn’t a bonus. It’s how we make sense of the world. And now, more than ever, we need to hold onto it.

You can learn more about pressing flowers with Tricia on her website: www.modernpressedflower.com and discover her art and lifestyle brand thru: www.domainoftheflowerings.com.

https://hereyoucomeagain.com.au/


Times Magazine

Building a Strong Online Presence with Katoomba Web Design

Katoomba web design is more than just creating a website that looks good—it’s about building an onli...

September Sunset Polo

International Polo Tour To Bridge Historic Sport, Life-Changing Philanthropy, and Breath-Taking Beau...

5 Ways Microsoft Fabric Simplifies Your Data Analytics Workflow

In today's data-driven world, businesses are constantly seeking ways to streamline their data anal...

7 Questions to Ask Before You Sign IT Support Companies in Sydney

Choosing an IT partner can feel like buying an insurance policy you hope you never need. The right c...

Choosing the Right Legal Aid Lawyer in Sutherland Shire: Key Considerations

Legal aid services play an essential role in ensuring access to justice for all. For people in t...

Watercolor vs. Oil vs. Digital: Which Medium Fits Your Pet's Personality?

When it comes to immortalizing your pet’s unique personality in art, choosing the right medium is ...

The Times Features

Do kids really need vitamin supplements?

Walk down the health aisle of any supermarket and you’ll see shelves lined with brightly packa...

Why is it so shameful to have missing or damaged teeth?

When your teeth and gums are in good condition, you might not even notice their impact on your...

Australian travellers at risk of ATM fee rip-offs according to new data from Wise

Wise, the global technology company building the smartest way to spend and manage money internat...

Does ‘fasted’ cardio help you lose weight? Here’s the science

Every few years, the concept of fasted exercise training pops up all over social media. Faste...

How Music and Culture Are Shaping Family Road Trips in Australia

School holiday season is here, and Aussies aren’t just hitting the road - they’re following the musi...

The Role of Spinal Physiotherapy in Recovery and Long-Term Wellbeing

Back pain and spinal conditions are among the most common reasons people seek medical support, oft...

Italian Lamb Ragu Recipe: The Best Ragù di Agnello for Pasta

Ciao! It’s Friday night, and the weekend is calling for a little Italian magic. What’s better than t...

It’s OK to use paracetamol in pregnancy. Here’s what the science says about the link with autism

United States President Donald Trump has urged pregnant women[1] to avoid paracetamol except in ...

How much money do you need to be happy? Here’s what the research says

Over the next decade, Elon Musk could become the world’s first trillionaire[1]. The Tesla board ...