Nikolina Manojlović Vračar graduated in painting, specializing in teaching, under the mentorship of Prof. A. Rašić at the Academy of Fine Arts in Zagreb (MA). She specialized in art therapy at the University Specialist Study of Creative Therapies at the J.J. Strossmayer University in Osijek (univ. spec. art. therap.). She is an independent visual artist and writer with interdisciplinary experience in other artistic practices.  She conducts art therapy individually and in groups with children, youth, adults, and seniors who face various biopsychosocial challenges, such as adverse childhood experiences, anxiety, self-harm, psychological abuse in relationships, acute life crises, developmental difficulties, and more. In her therapeutic work, she follows an integrative client-centered approach, based on humanistic-existential theories. Her clinical art therapy experience was gained through work with groups of young people and adults at the Day Hospital for Integrative Psychiatry, Clinic for Psychiatry Sv. Ivan in Zagreb.

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In collaboration with the Croatian independent theater scene, she has undergone numerous professional trainings related to working with voice, body, and movement, thus acquiring knowledge and skills that assist her in working with clients. Some of the trainings include:

• "Vocal Lab", training on the use of voice and singing for therapeutic purposes under the mentorship of vocal pedagogue Anne-Marie Blink (Netherlands), Student Center, Zagreb.

• "Theater Clown", working with personal vulnerability and being in the moment through the role of a theater clown, mentored by actress and director Lea DeLong (USA/France), Trico Circus Theater, Zagreb.

• "School of Forum Theater ‘Another World’", drama techniques, theory, and methodology, educational training, Center for Theater of the Oppressed POKAZ.

 

She expands and exchanges her knowledge and experience through projects that connect art with social work and psychology:

• "Compassionate World," Erasmus+ project,  intensive training for working with youth in the field of psychosocial and humanitarian aid, Andalusia, Spain.

• "Working with Children and Youth Victims of Sexual Abuse", professional training, Psychological Center Carpe Diem, Zagreb.

• "The Importance of Psychophysical Health for Action in Crisis Situations", facilitation training for providing peer-to-peer support organized by associations Ludruga and Sofia, Zagreb.

• Training to strengthen capacities for work aimed at social inclusion of persons over 54 years of age, K-zone, Zagreb.

• "Re-create Your Neighborhood", training in international social pedagogy practices, Lifelong Learning Program by the European Commission, Warsaw, Poland, and Rome, Italy.

 

She advocates for community empowerment and connection through art (Social Art Therapy) and often organizes public art actions in the local community or for a specific social group ("Self-Portraits of Zagreb Citizens", public art action, "Woman Antenna and Support", mosaic creation, Trnsko neighborhood, Zagreb, "Domaći", public art mural creation, Špansko, Zagreb, "Edit", mosaic in the social center Šesnaestica, Zagreb, etc.). She is the author of numerous murals and mosaics created on public surfaces and in institutions ("Warm Beverage", mural in the prison of Lepoglava, "Muuzaik", mosaic/mural in Branimirova Street, Zagreb, etc.). She regularly exhibits in group and solo exhibitions in Croatia and abroad.

 

Her literary and illustration work has been awarded several times ("Silences",  included in the NSK list of the most beautiful books published in Croatia in 2021, "Cloud in a Yellow Coat" – Grigor Vitez Award, Ptičica, "What All – Illustrated Encyclopedia of Verbs", Grigor Vitez Commendation / included in the NSK list of the most beautiful books published in Croatia in 2018, "The Old Man with the Long Beard", children’s jury award of the Ovca u kutiji award).

 

​Memberships: 

​Croatian Art Therapy Association (HART)
Croatian Association of Artists (HDLU)
Croatian Freelance Artists Association (HZSU)
Croatian Association of Writers for Children and Youth (HDKDM)​