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News and Events

Current news & events regarding art therapy including press releases, studies, articles, etc.

Jewish Art Therapy Group Helps Seniors With Self-Expression

June 10th

Here’s a gratifying story about how art therapy is helping older adults and seniors find new ways to express themselves. With a combination of art therapy, religion, and various other Jewish themes, the art therapy group at Village Shalom are finding ways to communicate their deepest, and sometimes darkest, feelings…

“Torah Portion Art Therapy” and Older Adults

Drawing on Beliefs and Memories Enriches Lives through Artistic Self-Expression 

traces2.jpg Across the US, more older adults are experiencing the benefits of self-expression. Recent studies indicate that the arts in general have health benefits including physical, social, and emotional well-being and improvement of symptoms associated with common ailments associated with aging. An art therapy group Continue reading »

Art Therapy Becoming More Accepted, Still A Ways To Go

May 14th

Another great article, this one is about Art Therapy and it’s gradual recognition and acceptance. Although it is becoming more and more acknolwedged and accepted, there is still a long ways to go…

You Gotta Have Art

Patients Benefit From Creative Expression

By Carol Strickland - Special to The Washington Post

Art therapy before chemotherapyAs health-care costs skyrocket, a down-to-earth approach to healing is emerging, complementing high-tech medicine with high-touch arts.

The approach is based on the assumption that incorporating music, visual art, writing and performance into clinical care can increase feelings of well-being and even improve health — an assumption that medical researchers are beginning to recognize the need to test with evidence-based studies. Continue reading »

Traumatized Cat Saved By Art Therapy

April 1st

Cat in treeA traumatized cat darted up a tree yesterday and went into shock for hours.

The cat, Ruby, was frolicking in the yard when a large labrador retriever began chasing her. Without a hiding place in sight, Ruby ran to the nearest tree and climbed it as fast her little legs and claws would take her, just missing the grips of the labrador. Ruby was stuck in the tree for what seemed like an eternity. The labrador wouldn’t stop barking at her.

Still in shock, Ruby waited patiently. The labrador Continue reading »

Art Heals Elders, Relieves Depression and Anxiety

March 17th

Hill Haven, a nursing care facility in New York, is just another example of how art therapy is being utilized to help people heal.

A recent story explains how the residents at Hill Haven have embraced art as therapy. The art therapist encourages the people poor their feelings onto the paper. One resident, Pat Roberts, uses art therapy to help heal a past that includes losing a mom and an uncle to head-on car crashes with drunk drivers.

Depression and anxiety often occur when there has been a drastic change in a person’s life. Art therapy helps to relieve these feelings.

Their sessions have also managed to uncover some hidden talent and passion. Residents Elijah Williams and June Tenney won a state art competition.

Some encouraging quotes from the story:

“I always dream about my husband and the good times we had, and especially that we had just finished our 50th wedding anniversary. It makes me very relaxed. I was in very bad shape before I started. I couldn’t stand another year of it and I’ve been here four years.”
- The creative environment has given Connie Coppola the strength to carry on.

“They look forward to her visits when before they never looked forward to anything. And they look forward to her coming. It really has made a difference in their lives.”
- Tanya Sergeant, nurse manager.

The Art of Connection Exhibit March 18-April 3

February 22nd

The Art of Connection
March 18 – April 3, 2008
Public reception: Saturday, March 29, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm

The Art of Connection exhibition showcases artwork by graduate art therapy students and the people they work with at their internships. Artwork in the show reflects the varied settings, populations, and practices of art therapy, and represents a culmination of the Master of Arts in Art Therapy program at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Note: The gallery will be closed for a private event on Saturday, March 29, 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm.

Location: Betty Rymer Gallery
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
280 S. Columbus Drive Chicago, IL 60603
312.443.3703 / saic_brg@saic.edu
Gallery hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 10 am – 5 pm

Creative Arts Therapy Week 2008

February 22nd

Celebrate the healing arts this spring!

Creative Arts Therapy Week 2008
Saturday, March 9 thru Saturday, March 15

Registration Form (PDF)
Email form to: donnabettsatrbc@aol.com

Throughout the United States, during the second Continue reading »

Indigenous Women Receive Support For Art Therapy Program

February 17th

Lee George - Australian Aboriginal woman supporting art therapyHere’s a truly inspiring story out of Australia that reflects how corporations, businesses, and individuals can help other people profit beyond the means of money.

Imaginif, a family run business in Australia dedicated to supporting child protection, began by searching for a survivor of child abuse.  Their search ended Continue reading »

Italian Ballerina Embraces Art Therapy Program

February 7th

An Italian ballerina, Carla Fracci, is asking fellow artists to support a program that utilizes different forms of art therapy to help cancer patients.

She was named as the spokeswoman for the project, and accepted, offering great praise to the program and its achievements.

The project began in 2003 at the National Cancer Institute (INT) in Milan by an oncologist named Carla Ripamonti.

“Studies have shown that patients suffer less pain when they are engaged in artistic activities and many cancer patients here take part in such activities before undergoing cycles of chemo treatment,” Ripamonti said.

The artistic lab which has been set up at the INT “is a place where patients like to be because they can join with others in creating something together. Even after completing their treatment, some patients return to the lab to lend a hand”.

“What is important is for patients to review their lives through art therapy, using their illness as a means to highlight the positive aspects of their existence,” observed lab therapist Tiziana Manusardi.

“Being part of an artistic process is very important for those who suffer. Working with others helps patients create a sense of ‘normality’ and to achieve a serenity with which to confront the pain of their illness and its treatment,” said INT Chairman Carlo Borsani.

You can read the original article here.

Upcoming Art Therapy Lecture

January 24th

If you’re going to be in the New York City area, there’s a lecture on Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy services. Erika Leeuwenburgh will be speaking and the lecture will focus on patients and families. She’ll be talking about how to meet their needs through proven art therapy practices and/or interventions.

When: February 20, 2008
Where: 133/141 West 21 Street; Room 101C; New York

More information here.