Environmental Art Therapy Workshop

This should be wonderful! Here's the info...

Date: Saturday, April 10
Time: 9AM – 5PM

Location:
Pratt Institute, Brooklyn Campus
200 Willoughby Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11205
pratt.edu

Environmental Art Therapy: Creating with and within public spaces to deepen individual therapeutic experience and allow for multi-dimensional human and environmental therapeutic outcomes.

Participants will learn an overview of theory and application of Environmental Art Therapy. A group interactive model will be the frame from which this workshop is taught focusing on the here-and-now in an outdoor space on the Pratt/Brooklyn campus. Ideas taken from various theories of psychology (to include ecopsychology) and a general understanding of environmental art alongside eco- consciousness (to include an overview of appropriate art materials) will be applied specifically to art therapy. Participants will be able to begin contemplating how this work makes contact with their personal and/or professional selves through an increased understanding of both subjective and objective external conditions and material.

Jean Davis is a New York State Licensed, Registered and Board Certified Art Therapist in private practice and the Acting Chairperson in the Creative Arts Therapy Department at Pratt Institute. She has taught aspects of Environmental Art Therapy in the department, participated in the development of the core course for Pratt’s new minor in Sustainability for undergraduate students, and has presented and published on the subject.

Workshop Candidates and Requirements: Open to anyone interested in art therapy and the integration of the physical environment.

Note: Please dress appropriately and bring items that you might want/need since the majority of this workshop will be held outdoors. Please bring sketchpad and pencils to document your experiences.

For questions or to register, please email jdavis@pratt.edu

Vital Signs ~ Pratt Creative Arts Therapy Show

On Friday April 2nd, 2010 the Pratt Creative Arts Therapy Department is proud to present "Vital Signs." The show is inspired by our experiences as art and dance therapists, and the creative ways that we find for self-care and nurturing in this challenging and exciting field. Please come by and celebrate with us at our opening!





Location: Pratt Manhattan - 2nd and 7th floor galleries
144 W. 14th Street
(btwn 6th & 7th Ave)

Opening Reception: 6-9pm

See you there:)

Loss

Yesterday I found out that my patient had died. I had been working with him at the hospital since this summer and we had developed a very special relationship... He was an incredible 9 year old, who filled the room with energy, laughter, and new perspectives. I still cannot believe he is gone. It happened so suddenly and it still doesn't seem real. In his little time on earth he influenced so many people and truly transformed those he came into contact with. I know that he has taught me an incredible amount - about how to be a better art therapist, and a better human being. He will be terribly missed. But I know he is in a better place, free of pain and full of beauty.

I wanted to share a few pieces of his artwork. He was a prolific artist! He spread beauty through his presence, as well as his art. Please enjoy!

Mandalas

Here are a few new mandalas from my sketchbook...creating mandalas is helping me to manage my stress, as I adjust from vacation back into school and internship. To create your own mandala, simply begin with any sized circle and draw within the circle. There is no right or wrong!

New sketches

Here are a few new sketches, done during my vacation in the Dominican Republic. This wasn't an adventure vacation - it was an R&R vacation! So instead of sketching what was around me, I went inwards for imagery. Lately a lot of the images have been of women in various styles...

A few new paintings...

Here are 4 new small paintings that I created today:)

Altered Book

And the end of all our exploring

Will be to arrive where we started

And know the place for the first time.

“Little Gidding”

T.S. Eliot, Four Quartets

I am almost finished with my altered book. This book is the central piece of my thesis for graduate school, and it explores my literal and metaphorical search for my birth mother. I used a combination of collage, paint, and writing, to alter a book called "Healing Waters." Here are a few pages from the book - enjoy!