Evgeny Lyulin believes that the experience of clay therapy from the Dzerzhinsk studio should be replicated.

      On May 18, 2026, at 13:09, Culture and Leisure. The Chairman of the Legislative Assembly of the Nizhny Novgorod Region, Evgeny Lyulin, visited the Dzerzhinsk Local History Museum, where he examined the exhibition of creative works by students of the pottery and ceramics studio "Ceramic Fantasies." The exhibition features more than 40 works.

      The studio began its work in 2019 with a small group, and today more than a hundred people participate here annually—from five-year-old children to seventy-two-year-old retirees. Mothers on maternity leave, students, and people with disabilities also come. The main principle of the creative space is the accessibility of the craft for any age and level of preparation, as well as the opportunity for entire families to engage in creativity.

      In the "Ceramic Fantasies" studio, conditions are created for the socialization and rehabilitation of people with mental disorders and other health issues. This direction, according to the creator and head of the studio, Yulia Biderman, has developed largely thanks to the personal support of Evgeny Lyulin. In 2021, with his participation, an inclusive program for special children was launched. Clay therapy sessions are recommended by doctors as an additional form of rehabilitation that helps develop social skills and adapt to society.

      The assistance did not stop at just organizing classes. In 2022, thanks to the support of the speaker of the regional parliament, a new spacious municipal facility was found for the studio, which was transferred for free use. This allowed the number of students to increase while maintaining a minimal fee for classes. Evgeny Lyulin also assisted in purchasing equipment, arranging the entrance group, and installing a ramp, which created a barrier-free environment in the studio. In 2023, he helped resolve the heating issue in the facility so that classes could be held comfortably year-round.

      "Today I saw unique works that prove that creativity truly knows no bounds. A high artistic level, complex techniques of colored glaze, deep philosophical meaning—and all this is created by the hands of the studio's students, including children with health issues. Clay heals. It develops fine motor skills, imagination, and a sense of beauty. More than a hundred people engage in the studio; they start with simple figures and over time create real masterpieces. Creativity makes people happy, and it doesn't matter that only a few will become professional artists. The main thing is that today in Dzerzhinsk there is such a place where art becomes accessible to everyone, regardless of age and health status. We will continue to support projects that bring joy to people and help them socialize," noted the Chairman of the Legislative Assembly of the Nizhny Novgorod Region, Evgeny Lyulin.

      Today, the "Ceramic Fantasies" studio is no longer just a creative space but a true center for development and corrective assistance. In 2022-2024, it successfully implemented a project funded by the Presidential Grants Fund for free classes for children with disabilities. In 2025, the studio received a grant from the Ministry of Regional, Internal, and Municipal Policy of the Nizhny Novgorod Region to work with adults with limited health capabilities. The studio organized three exhibitions of non-professional ceramics, in which more than 120 people participated. In 2026, it partnered with the Dzerzhinsk Industrial College at the regional "Abilympics" championship: it prepared students and organized the venue. As a result, three college students won prize places.

      "When we brought our first child with an autism spectrum disorder to us, we saw how working with hands helps him socialize. Doctors recommended clay therapy, but only a few had the opportunity to engage. Evgeny Borisovich Lyulin supported our project, and now we have one of the most accessible studios in the region, where people with any health issues can comfortably engage," said the head of the pottery and ceramics studio "Ceramic Fantasies," Yulia Biderman.

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