After graduating with an MBA in international policy, French-born Valerie Carmet obtained her first job in New York City working in the fashion industry. After a decade in the fashion business, Valerie decided to go back to her first passion and studied the Arts. She experimented with different kinds of media in different schools and went on to specialize in Mosaic Art in Italy. She worked as a full time artist at The Anadamali Studio in Tribeca for 3 years while teaching the art of mosaic and honing in on her own expertise in both mosaic and mixed media. Valerie created large scale commissions for prestigious commercial clients such as The Rockefeller Center, the New York University Cancer Institute, the Ritz Carlton hotel, and Pfizer, as well as art surfaces, wall paintings, and furniture for private clients and collectors, who describe her work as “an expression of light, color, joy, and good feeling with a twist of originality”.

In her inspirational Pop Art collection called “ToyBox: not intended for small children”, Valerie describes her approach with this new medium by saying, “My children’s toys, too sweet and memorable to lose, were gathering dust in a box. I began this series to reflect on my own childhood and realized the importance “play” had in our lives and the psychological effect it had and continues to have on us as adults.

This serie also allows me to discuss controversial news and express my voice through art and toys on subjects like gun violence, war, gender equality, gay rights, marriage, bullying, #metoo movement, mental health, ...

Statement: ToyBox collection called “... Not intended for small children…”

Play is an important part in one’s life. But “...not all children get to play...”

There is a critical set of moments in a child’s life in which they get to access their imagination, full of fun as well as happiness, frustration, laughter, joy, and freedom. But your imagination would also shape your future, your inspirations, passions, and skills. Later, in adult life, it can become an area for achievement and unsurpassed performance. Some take “play” very seriously and some use it as an escape from their own reality. Unfortunately, not all children get to experience the notion of “play time” and I was one of them. Growing up, my family situation forced me to take on adult responsibilities and work at a very young age when other kids were out playing. However the desire to play never went away; it is there as a constant offering, as a container of what is good. If you are in a family where play “was not intended for children”, you might just become a grown adult who wants to play even more and catch up with what you missed. Then you might be told, your behavior is “intended for small children” only. Go out and play with the ones in your life, be generous with your time, with your knowledge, and the teachable moments and lessons you learned. Share them and your life experiences without ever taking yourself too seriously.My life is my playground now!

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