Diagnostic Drawing Series Training -- and more

Diagnostic Drawing Series Training --Washington, DC -- May 15 & 16,

We are delighted to announce that a DDS training will be held in Washington, DC on Saturday, May 15 and Sunday, May 16. This intensive workshop will cover all the essential areas of more than 25 years of DDS research, and clinical findings regarding hospitalized and non- hospitalized people ages 13 and older. The workshop will be taught by Barry M. Cohen, primary creator of the DDS, and Anne Mills, Director of the DDS Archive. The training will be held in the offices of Art Therapy Services, in northwest Washington DC near the Washington Cathedral (free parking; subway nearby). It will run from 9:30 am - 5:30 pm each day. NBCC continuing education credits are provided at no additional charge.

SCHEDULE OF FEES

$325, if postmarked on or before April 15$350, if postmarked on or after April 16Payment can be made by check or Paypal. (Paypal requires an additional $10 service fee). There are only 4 spaces left, so if you are interested in attending, or have questions, contact Barry M. Cohen immediately at landmarc@cox.net . Registrants will be expected to bring with them at least 3 properly collected DDSs from people aged 13 or older for group consultation, and will be sent a packet of information in advance of the workshop for this purpose. The Diagnostic Drawing Series (DDS) was developed in 1982 by art therapists. During the administration of a DDS, the artist/patient is asked to draw three pictures. The DDS is a reliable and valid standardized assessment that distinguishes between DSM diagnoses, which has inspired an international collaborative project on how people tend to draw. For those who need a non-verbal assessment to use cross-culturally, familiarity with the Diagnostic Drawing Series is essential.The address to mail checks or seek information on the DDS Project is P.O. Box 9853, Alexandria, Virginia, 22304 USA, or http://www.diagnosticdrawingseries.com/

Anne Mills, ATR-BC, LPC

________________________________________________________

Therapeutic Uses of Art Image & Symbolization for the MH Clinician - III

Friday March 26, 2010All DayLocation: Glenside, PA (near Philadelphia)Phone: 2158850642x1

Notes:LEVEL II – Assessment & Applications - March 26-28, 2010This level includes projective & graphic assessments, applications; advanced techniques such as working with the resistant or “stuck” client & supervision related to therapeutic art techniques. Level I is a pre-requisite. Advance registration is required. For more information & a brochure, please contact: Michelle L. Dean, MA, ATR-BC, LPC, CGPBoard Certified Art Psychotherapist, Licensed Professional Counselor & Certified Group Psychotherapistwebsite: michelleldean.comTelephone: 215.885.0642x1Email: michelleldean.mac@mac.comWebsite: michelleldean.com NBCC CE provider # 6302Co-Presenter: Mark Dean, MA, ATR-BC, LPC is a board certified & registered art psychotherapist & licensed professional counselor with over 15 years of clinical experience. He currently provides clinical care to patients of all ages at the Main Line Clinical Affiliates and has been an Adjunct Professor at Arcadia University since 1990. Previous work experience includes addiction treatment at the Charter Fairmount Institute, the clinical coordinator of the Geropsychiatry Program at The Belmont Center for Comprehensive Treatment as well as community mental health & private practice. His volunteer work includes providing clinical intervention with violent & displaced youths in the Violence Postvention Program & at The Northern Home for Children, in Philadelphia. Mr. Dean has been the recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Award for Artistic Excellence, & has received Pennsylvania Council of the Arts awards. Prior to his graduate training as a therapist, Mr. Dean was an artist in New York City. His work is featured in several prominent private & public national & international collections.

FLUIDITY OF CONSCIOUSNESS: IMAGERY & PAINTING - CEC's offeredSaturday March 27, 2010All DayLocation: Oreland, PA (near Philadelphia)Phone: 2158850642x1Notes:he spontaneous imagery of dreams, day dreams & guided imagery can be a rich portal into insight & transformation. Participants will have opportunities to utilize the spontaneous imagery process and then further the dialog with painting techniques. Application for discourse with images as in art productions and in dreams will be explored as a means of knowing and personal fulfillment. For more information and a brochure, please contact:Michelle L. Dean, MA, ATR-BC, LPC, CGPBoard Certified Art Psychotherapist, Licensed Professional Counselor & Certified Group Psychotherapisttelephone: 215.885.0642x1email: michelleldean.mac@mac.comwebsite: http://michelleldean.comNBCC CE provider #6302. Advance registration required.

__________________________________________________________________

Ethics of Art and Play Therapy with Traumatized Children, 4/4/2010,

Ethics of Art and Play Therapy with Traumatized Children

Sunday April 4, 2010All Day

Location: Online Distance Learning Course/ Cathy Malchiodi, PhD, LPAT, LPCC, Faculty

Phone: for more info, email steele@tlcinst.org

Notes:A 6 unit CEC online distance learning course, "Ethics of Art and Play Therapy with Traumatized Children," will be available starting March 15th, 2010. Access our online learning system from your computer and complete at your leisure. Course includes all readings, access to films, and downloadable resources. You'll even get to make some art, too!Cost: $100 for 6 CECs; register after March 15th, 2010 thru National Institute for Trauma and Loss at http://www.starrtraining.org/online-courses at any time-- this course will be available indefinitely.Approved by:American Psychological Association (APA) 6 contact hoursNational Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) 6 contact hoursThe Association for Play Therapy/APT Approved provider 01-1086 contact hoursNational Association of Social Workers (NASW) 5.5 contact hoursCalifornia Board of Behavioral Sciences 6 credit hoursFlorida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage &Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling 6 credit hoursIllinois Dept of Professional Regulationfor Social Workers 6 clock hoursIllinois Dept of Professional Regulation forMarriage and Family Therapy 6 clock hoursIllinois Dept of Professional Regulation forCounselor/Clinical Counselor 6 clock hoursMichigan Certification Board forAddiction Professionals 6 credit hoursState of Ohio Counselor and Social Worker Board 6 credit hoursOhio Nurses Association accredited by the American NursesCredentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation, 6 credit hoursTexas Education Agency Continuing Professional Education Provider (CPE) State of Texas Number 500776 6 credit hoursTexas State Board of Social Worker Examiners 6 credit hoursTexas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors 6 credit hoursMichigan State Board of Continuing Education (SB-CEU).5 SB-CEUMichigan Social Work Continuing Education Collaborative 5.5 CE hoursUniversity of San DiegoGraduate Extension Level Credit 1 Graduate Creditfor every 3 courses

________________________________________________________________

Survey invitiation

Hello, I am an art therapy graduate student at the College of New Rochelle. My thesis is a study about how art therapists who are working in environments where Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is the therapeutic model are conducting art therapy. The study is being conducted as a survey. Little research has been done on the compatibility of art therapy and DBT. By participating in this survey you will be helping to provide important data and experiences about whether clients may gain additional benefits from DBT when it is combined with art therapy. From the data gathered I will identify how art therapists are adapting to working within the DBT framework, whether they are receiving adequate training for working within the DBT model, and whether and how they think art therapy can enhance results in clients receiving DBT. This information is important for the field of art therapy and can help to point the way for further research.

If you are a Registered Art Therapist practicing in the United States and working in a setting where DBT is the therapeutic model, your participation in this survey would be greatly appreciated. It will take approximately 10 minutes of your time. The survey is being administered by surveymonkey.com. The link to begin the survey is below. Although the survey will be open through April 2, 2010, there is no time like the present to take it and participate! Results will be sent to the group in May 2010. If you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact me at dsteinfeld@hvc.rr.com. To begin the survey please click on this link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/G37KWGB

Thank-you for your time, attention, and participation.

Sincerely,Debra Steinfeld

EnCounterCulture:
The Culturally Responsive Art Therapist

Juried Exhibition

GWU Art Therapy Program Reception Rescheduled! Saturday, April 3, 2010 4pm – 6pm 413 John Carlyle Blvd. 2nd floor Alexandria, VA 22314 703-299-4148

PLUS Healing Circles for Haiti ART SALE Small, round art pieces for sale at the reception, $20.00 ea., created by GW students and faculty. Proceeds go to the GW Art Therapy Student Association’s Haiti Relief Effort. Additional donations accepted

UMBC SPONSORED, FULBRIGHT- HAYS SUPPORTED GROUP PROJECT ABROAD MEXICAN ART AND CULTURE IN AN INTERCULTURAL PERSPECTIVE

July 1-AUGUST 6, 2010. MEXICO CITY AND TAXCO, MEXICO
FOR
ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY TEACHERS OF ART, SOCIAL STUDIES, AND SPANISH

SPONSOR: UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, BALTIMORE COUNTY
CREDITS: 6 GRADUATE CREDITS
PROJECT DIRECTOR: DR. JOHN H. SINNIGEN, sinnigen@umbc.edu.
CURRICULUM SPECIALIST: MS. BETTYANN PLISHKER, bplish@verizon.net
APPLICATION DEADLINE: April 16, 2010

UMBC is sponsoring a Group Project Abroad in Mexico City and Taxco, Mexico in the summer of 2010. The grant will cover air fare and a modest living allowance for each participant. UMBC will pay for three of the graduate credits and most fees. Participants pay for the other three graduate credits. (Those participants, but not all applicants, will pay the UMBC graduate school application fee.) The application to the program requires unofficial academic transcripts, a very important statement of purpose, and two letters of recommendation.

Mexican Art and Culture in an Intercultural Perspective
This five-week short-term seminar for twelve elementary and secondary teachers of art, social studies, and Spanish is sponsored by UMBC (University of Maryland, Baltimore Co.) and is organized in collaboration with the Center for the Instruction of Foreign Students (CEPE) of the National Autonomous University of 6, 2010. Pre-departure orientation will be held on the UMBC campus on May 15, 16, 2010. The purpose of the project is to improve the instruction of Mexican and Latin American studies and the Spanish language. The objective is to provide participants with an immersion interdisciplinary living and learning experience so that they will have new knowledge and materials that will allow them to incorporate successfully themes of Mexican art and culture in their curricula. Required courses will be in five areas: Pre-Hispanic Mexican Art and Culture; Vice-regal Mexican Art and Culture; Contemporary Mexican Art and Culture; Current Changes in the Economy and Politics of Mexico; Pedagogic and Curricular Strategies and Practices; these courses will be taught by the project director, the curriculum specialist, and members of the CEPE art history faculty. Spanish language courses also will be offered. Through a series of site visits and power point presentations, the instructors will provide participants with a significant exposure to the extensive artistic production that has gone on in Mexico from pre-Hispanic times until the present. The final project for the program will be a dossier of materials, including a unit of instruction and a web site that participants will incorporate into their curricula and disseminate to colleagues.

Nondiscriminatory employment practices
The University of Maryland, Baltimore County does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic background, ancestry, sex, disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran’s status, or religion in admission to and participation in educational programs and activities, or employment practices in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (revised 1992), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and t he Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

The Art of Happiness:
Positive Psychology and the Arts

with Gioia Chilton, MA, ATR-BC, and
Rebecca A. Wilkinson MA, ATR-BC

Art at the Center
2804 Sherwood Hall Lane
Alexandria, VA 22306
703-581-5598
http://www.artatthecenter.org/

Tuesday, May 4, 2010 Free Open to the Public
7:00-9:00 pm

Would you like to increase life satisfaction, meaning, and engagement for your clients and yourself? Discover what makes people of all ages happier, and how to increase personal and professional happiness. Who is happy? Why be happy? Can creative endeavors contribute to happiness, and if so, how? These questions and more will be explored through an introduction to Positive Psychology, the science of happiness. Positive psychology seeks to help us identify and build upon character strengths as tools to increase well being. We will explore the connection between Positive Psychology and the arts and define strategies for using creative endeavors to increase engagement, mastery, and flow.

Objective 1) Attendees will be able to define happiness.
Objective 2) Attendees will be able to list two strategies for implementing Positive Psychology practices to improve life satisfaction.
Objective 3) Attendees will gain experiential knowledge of a creative practice designed to increase engagement, mastery, and flow.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:
Art therapists, counselors, mental health professionals, and anyone interested in improving happiness in themselves and those around them.

WHAT STUDENTS SAY:
“Incredibly empowering and even life-changing. What a gift for me! What a tool to share with others! It truly expands one's perspective.” -Kelly Hartland
“One of best lectures I've attended in a long time, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.” -Cynthia Hart

PRESENTERS:
Gioia Chilton, MA, ATR-BC and Rebecca Wilkinson, MA, ATR-BC are registered and board certified art therapists, and authors of Positive Art Therapy: Envisioning the Intersection of Art Therapy and Positive Psychology published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Art Therapy in 2009. Gioia & Rebecca are Adjunct Faculty with The George Washington University.

March News from Virginians for the Arts
March Musings

More Info

ARTS ADVOCATES SPEAK WITH ONE VOICE ON FUNDING
The House and Senate budget conferees compromised on the questions of arts funding and the continuing existence of the Virginia Commission for the Arts (VCA) by recommending an additional cut of $669,673 -- approximately 16.4% -- to the state general fund appropriation for grants to arts organizations throughout the Commonwealth.
Said VFTA Legislative Counsel Alan Albert, "This cut, while unfortunate in light of the 30% in cuts to arts funding previously made during 2008 and 2009, is a far cry from the proposal in the House budget plan, which would have cut VCA funding by 50% in the fiscal year that begins July 1 and eliminated the Commission, and all arts funding, a year later.
"I am absolutely certain that this relatively small cut -- in the larger context of a $4.2 billion gap between base spending needs and available revenues -- is a direct result of the wonderful outpouring of advocacy efforts from every corner of Virginia since the House plan was unveiled on February 21. Arts advocates rose to the challenge and contacted legislators in unprecedented numbers, making clear the enormous breadth and depth of support for Virginia's rich and diverse arts and cultural resources. But for this heartfelt display of support, this cut could have been far worse -- and the Commission itself might not have survived."
Looking Back on Advocates' Response to Call for Support
Calls for advocate support spread through VFTA news alerts and the Virginians for the Arts Facebook fan page. The Fan Page jumped from 650 fans to 1455 between February 20 and March 15 as advocates tracked and commented on the evolving situation and news coverage. A Help Save the Virginia Commission for the Arts event page (the "event" was to contact local legislators) and Help Save the Arts in Virginia page were generated by advocates independently.
With only two days' notice, nearly 300 Virginians for the Arts advocates gathered at the Capitol to hear House floor debate on its proposed budget on February 26. See television news coverage:
WTVR CBS-6 Richmond
WSET ABC-13 Lynchburg
Virginia Commonwealth University student advocates conducted a letter-writing campaign on campus February 24, generating more than 500 letters to legislators supporting funding for the Virginia Commission for the Arts in the span of a few hours, which were delivered to the Capitol on February 25.
Resolutions were adopted by officials in several localities opposing the prospect of large cuts to or elimination of the Virginia Commission for the Arts (Shenandoah Board of Supervisors, February 24; City of Winchester, February 23).
Legislators featured the issue in blog postings, on their websites, and regular columns written for local newspapers.
Senator Ralph Northam
Delegate Charniele Herring
Delegate Scott Surovell
Delegate David Englin
Editorial pages across the state came out in support of public funding for the arts (and published supportive guest editorials):
Virginian-Pilot-February 26
Roanoke Times -March 2
The Gazette Virginian-March 7
Lynchburg News and Advance (Suny Monk)-February 28
Lynchburg advocates conducted a rally to generate support for public arts funding on March 3. See television news coverage:
ABC13, Lynchburg (Keith Lee, Dance Theatre of Lynchburg speaks)
ABC13, Lynchburg
See more than 50 editorials by advocates and news stories about the threat to funding for the Virginia Commission for the Arts that appeared in newspapers since February 23, 2010, HERE.
Assuming that the Governor does not choose to suggest amendments to this budget item -- something we consider unlikely -- total state general funds available for arts grants in FY11 will be approximately $3.37 million.
Please take the time to thank your legislators -- all of them -- for preserving arts funding and the Commission. A simple thank you goes a long way. Contact information HERE.
It is essential that advocates reach out to legislators throughout the coming year -- invite them to your facilities, events and educational programs so that they can see, firsthand, what the arts mean to the lives of Virginians.
VFTA thanks Altria for supporting its Arts Build Communities project, which has helped create important advocacy tools for our advocates and has allowed VFTA to expand its public awareness efforts.
NATIONAL ARTS ADVOCACY DAY
April 12 - 13, Omni Shoreham Hotel and Capitol Hill. Join hundreds of advocates from across the U.S. to advocate for public funding for the arts. Virginians for the Arts acts as state captain: Contact Trish Poupore at Vaforarts@aol.com to participate with the Virginia delegation. Register here.
MINDS WIDE OPEN: Virginia Celebrates Women in the Arts
March 1, 2010, was the first official day of MINDS WIDE OPEN (MWO). More than 4,500 performances, exhibitions and other opportunities to attend over 537 separate events have been registered on the MWO website. These events showcase the outstanding work being produced by 200 different cultural agencies in every area of the state. Events are being added at an average rate of a dozen per day. Register by visiting the Participant Registration page on the website.
First Lady Maureen McDonnell has joined all of her living predecessors as Honorary Chair of the celebration, bringing to ten the number of current and former first ladies who are actively supporting Minds Wide Open efforts.
The Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) has awarded a major grant to help promote MINDS WIDE OPEN in neighboring states with spots on National Public Radio stations in North Carolina, West Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. A second VTC grant will facilitate insertion of an eight-page promotional piece into 180,000 copies of Richmond Magazine, The Roanoker Magazine, Hampton Roads Magazine, Bethesda Magazine, and The Metro Reader Magazine, which serves the Research Triangle area of North Carolina.
Upcoming regional launch events will take place in Richmond (3/20) and Norfolk (3/21). Launch festivities have been planned in every media market in Virginia. Festivities have already taken place in Staunton (2/27 and 2/28), Orange (3/4), Roanoke (3/5), Abingdon (3/6), Lorton (3/7), Martinsville (3/8), and Alexandria (3/11),
The House of Delegates and the Senate of the Virginia General Assembly have issued joint resolutions honoring MINDS WIDE OPEN (see the website's Government Proclamations section of the Participants Toolkit). Participants are encouraged to approach their local government and request that they issue such a proclamation honoring MINDS WIDE OPEN.
The Steering Committee has announced that the theme for the next celebration of MINDS WIDE OPEN (2012) will be Virginia Celebrates Children and the Arts.
RESOURCES
Workshops/Conferences2010 Mid Atlantic Region American College Dance Festival, March 17-20, 2010The Virginia Commonwealth University Department of Dance and Choreography--Approximately 400 participants (students and faculty) from 25 colleges and universities from the Mid-Atlantic region and around the country will participate in classes, workshops, guest artist concerts, adjudicated concerts, panel discussions, and a closing gala concert. A limited number of public tickets will be available to the adjudicated, informal, and gala concerts, at the door only, by cash or check payment ($5). See schedule of performances. Creativity Forum 2010, April 1, 7:30 - 9:30 a.m.University of Richmond's Camp Concert Hall at the Modlin Center, featuring Daniel Pink. Sponsored by Visual Arts Center of Richmond, in collaboration with the Robins School of Business, University of Richmond and partnering with Bank of America, Richmond Symphony, CultureWorks, the Valentine Richmond History Center, and the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce. Register here or call the Visual Arts Center at (804)353--0094. Limited tickets available, $25; open to the public.
Arts Integration Schools: What, Why, and How, April 7-10, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, D.C.This conference shares a decade of Kennedy Center's experience in 20 Washington, D.C. area schools aimed at building a school-wide philosophy for and practice of arts integration. The program, Changing Education Through the Arts (CETA), is a school reform effort realized through ongoing, in-depth professional learning for teachers. More information here.
Grants
The Virginia Commission for the Arts announces a 5:00 p.m., April 1, 2010, application deadline for the Commission's 2010-2011 Local Government Challenge Grants, 2011-2012 Performing Artist Tour Directory and 2010-2011 Artists in Education Residency Grants. For additional information and to download applications, go here or contact the Virginia Commission for the Arts, 223 Governor Street, Richmond, VA 23219; Phone: 804/225-3132; email: arts@arts.virginia.gov .
The US Department of Education announced the final guidelines for the $650 million Investing in Innovation Fund (i3). See them here. Funds are eligible for local nonprofit/school partnership programs. The grants are large and multi-year. Applications will be due in mid-May and grants will be awarded in September.
Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation announces the availability of guidelines for the second grant round of Jazz.NEXT, a national jazz initiative. Funding support available for grants ranging from $10,000 to $75,000. Guidelines for Jazz.NEXT available online here. Questions concerning the program should be addressed to Sara Donnelly, Program Officer, Jazz at sara@midatlanticarts.org or 410-539-6656 x116. The application deadline for Round II is June 1, 2010.
Opportunities
The Crooked Road: Virginia's Heritage Music Trail seeks musicians to populate its Musician's Directory to be launched on its website in the next couple of weeks. The directory is for professional and semi-professional musicians and bands, as well as amateurs, hobbyists, people looking to join or form bands, or to just hook up with other local pickers for informal jamming. The service is offered at no charge, and it is hoped that the directory will be continually updated. The directory is currently limited to participants who live in the following 19 counties of the "Heartwood" region: Dickenson, Wise, Lee, Scott, Washington, Grayson, Carroll, Floyd, Patrick, Franklin, Bland, Buchanan, Giles, Montgomery, Pulaski, Russell, Smyth, Tazewell, and Wythe, as well as the cities of Bristol, Galax, Norton and Radford. For more information contact: info@thecrookedroad.org.
Eco-friendly Virginia artisans needed: the Second Annual EarthDay@Loudoun Family Festival at Willow Creek Farm in the Broadlands, Sunday, April 25, 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Contact Oya Simpson, Co-Chair, Broadlands Wildlife Habitat Committee, (703)725-8040.
VSA is currently accepting proposals from theater educators to review, evaluate, and update the Playwright Discovery Program Resource Guide for Teachers. Proposals must be submitted to emmiller@vsarts.org by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 2, 2010. For information contact Elizabeth McCloskey Miller, Performing Arts Manager, VSA, The International Organization on Arts and Disability (enmiller@vsarts.org).
Announcements
The Arts Council of Fairfax County is pleased to announce the appointment of Linda S. Sullivan as President and CEO. Ms. Sullivan's appointment was effective March 15, 2010. "Linda's breadth and depth of experience in the arts field will greatly serve the Arts Council and our arts community," states Doug Brammer, Chairman of the Board. Ms. Sullivan has served the greater Washington area as an arts management consultant since 2001 and directed the Mississippi Museum of Art and other arts organizations earlier.
TAX TIME
Virginians can contribute part of their state income tax refund to the Virginia Arts Foundation by checking a box on their return form. The Virginia Arts Foundation, different from Virginians for the Arts Foundation, sends funds received directly to the Virginia Commission for the Arts which is then distributed in grants to artists all across the state!
QUESTIONS
Contact: Trish PouporeExecutive DirectorVirginians for the Arts(804)644-2787Email: VaforArts@aol.com

Spots are still open for GWU's theraputic feltmaking Workshop! Saturday March 27th!

Spots are still open! Saturday March 27th!

http://www.gwu.edu/~artx/docs/feltmaking_workshop_rev.pdf

Artshow Tonight!

Neo Folklore Venezolano @ Suite V.I.P of Cafe Citron
DJ Rainier & Artiest Luisa Vargas.
Type:
Party - Cocktail Party

Start Time:
Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 8:00pm
End Time:
Friday, March 19, 2010 at 2:00am
Location:
Suite V.I.P of Cafe Citron
Street:
2101 E Street Northwest
City/Town:
Washington, DC
View Map
Description
Join us at Suite the V.I.P of Cafe Citron to experience a night of art and music as talented Venezuelan DJ Rainier introduces his new set of Neo-Folklore collaborating with artist Luisa Vargas from Maracaibo. “Power Within” is the name of a collection of masterpieces that illustrates the reflection of our modern culture represented by self-portraits that reflect statements of power and independence of the modern sophisticated roles of women in society. As the night takes over, the event will transform into a full blown Venezuelan Party with its most characteristic sounds that are typical from this warm Caribbean country. Don’t miss the opportunity to indulge yourself with this fusion of art & music that marks the beginning of a new generation with artistic expression. Art Exhibitions 8:00 – 10:00 Rumba Venezolana 10:00 – 2:00 am
Support the Local Venezuelan Talent
Table reservation : 443-858-4418 443-858-4418

http://www.DJRainier.com

Thanks, Luisa Vargas

Virginians for the Arts

Virginians for the Arts
Thank You, Arts Advocates - Reach Out to Legislators; Invite to Arts Events
Letter from Virginia Commission for the Arts Chairman Nick Covatta

More Info

Dear Virginians for the Arts Advocate,
On behalf of my fellow commissioners, thank you for your energies and efforts. Without the dedication of each of you, the Commonwealth of Virginia might well have been the only state in the union without an arts commission.
Please take the time to send a thank you note to your Delegate and Senator thanking him or her for the funding that they provided to the Commission. You might also mention that you will spend wisely the funds that your organization receives to maximize the benefits to all citizens of the Commonwealth.
This experience has been an important lesson regarding our relationship with the General Assembly. It is clear that when our message is conveyed to the members, our value is well understood. It is equally clear that we have not communicated our message as well as we should. In this light, please make every effort between now and the next session to invite your legislators to arts events and activities in your area.
When the dust settles, try to meet personally with your Delegate and Senator, especially those who are not generally inclined to support us, to further the education process. I cannot emphasize this enough. The expression "people do business with people" is more relevant than ever. It's easy to cut funding for the arts, if one has little contact with the arts. On the other hand, it is easy to support funding for the arts if some real person reaches out to keep you informed.
Warm regards,
Nick CovattaChairmanVirginia Commission for the Arts

The African Presence in Mexico: From Yanga to the Present is a traveling exhibition at the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum

The African Presence in Mexico: From Yanga to the Present is a traveling exhibition at the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum
This exhibit examines the history, art and culture of Afro-Mexicans.
The exhibit ends July 2010
Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum
Located at 1901 fort Place SE
Washington, DC 20020
202-633-4820
Also note:
March 18th @ 10:30 a.m. - Lecture and Demonstration of Traditional Afro-Mexican Dance
March 23rd @ 10:30 a.m. - Doll Making
March 27 @ 3pm Lecture and Discussion: Elizabeth Catlett and the Mexican Visual Arts Tradition, with David Driskell Mexican Cultural Institute.

Please call 202-633-4866 or 202-633-4844 for more information.

Enjoy!

Thank you!
Elva Anderson, MPS, ATR, LPC
Potomac Art Therapy Assocation
Programming and Multicultural Committee Chair

eanderso@cnmc.org

Save the Date!!
STUDIO DOWNSTAIRS
A therapeutically informed art studio program for adults living with mental illness
Presents:

“Look In/Look Out"- Portraits in Progress
Featuring original photography and mixed media works by artists of
Studio Downstairs, Silver Spring, MD.

Art Exhibit: June 4 - June 30, 2010
Location: Takoma Park Municipal Center Gallery
8600 Maple Avenue
Takoma Park, MD. 20912

Art Exhibit Opening Reception: Friday, June 4, 5 - 8pm

Call for Art: Make A Face… for our Wall of Portraits (to be shown as part of our exhibit).
Make a portrait 7x5 inches (vertically oriented). We hope to have upwards of 500 images so that you can submit multiple portraits. All work is considered donated and will become the property of Studio Downstairs. Submit artwork to: Studio Downstairs, 816 Thayer Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Deadline for submission-May 5th, 2010

Symposium: June 4th, 1pm - 5 pm.
“Ways of Seeing and Being Seen: through Art, Art Therapy, and Alternative Ways of Being.”
Guest Speaker: Matt Sesow- Outsider Artist
Panel Members: Members of Studio Downstairs, Mental Health Professionals, Artists
The panel discussion is suitable for mental health consumers, family members, mental health practitioners, artists, and the general public.
*Free of Charge
*CEUs for social workers, counselors (pending)

Evening of Music and Poetry: June 18, 2010 7- 9pm
Mental health consumers read their work. Musical Composer will create musical portraits. Mental Health consumers are welcome to submit poetry or music
*Free. Open to the general public.

For more information contact: Sally Brucker –Studio Downstairs 301 388-ARTS
Visit us at: http://studiodownstairsinsideout.blogspot.com/
Website: www.studiodownstairs.org

LinkedIn Discussion Forum

LinkedIn features the Art Therapy Alliance. There, many interesting discussions occur. I moderate an interest group on Art Therapy & Older Adults with Neurodegenerative Disorders. Typcially, I post information related to Neuroscience as well. Here is a description of the interest group:

The Art Therapy Alliance group: Art Therapy & Older Adults with Neurogenerative Disorders will provide a forum for the open exchange of ideas, therapeutic protocols, articles, resources, news, info, etc relating to the older adult population. Anyone interested in or currently working with older adults using art therapy is welcome to join in discussions or post questions. The manager of this group, Amanda Alders is currently pursuing a PhD, specializing in Art Therapy at FSU in Tallahassee, FL and will be adding and responding to discussions every other Friday.

Older adults are considered a “vulnerable” population with specific needs and a wide range of behavioral tendencies. Collaboration among therapists may very well serve to provide a strong footing for providing high quality care to a rapidly growing segment of the world population. For this reason, by participating in group discussions, therapists will be able to share insight into the approaches that they find most effective and person centered. This group will encourage discussions on culturally diverse segments of the elderly population as well as theories associated with neuroplasticity, learning, motivation, and creativity.

KEY WORDS:

neuroplasticity, older adults, person centered, learning, motivation, creativity, elderly, art therapists, vulnerable, open forum, effective, protocols, cultural diversity.

Comparison: Neuroscience and Art Therapy- Perspectives

As a PhD student in FSU's Art Therapy program/ Art Education program, I was required to take a diagnostic exam at the beginning of this semester. One aspect of the exam required me to compare and contrast two authors. Due to my interest in Neuroscience and Art Therapy, I selected two authors who write on this topic. Below is a brief description of the paper and a link to a google doc version. Please excuse the formatting on the google doc.

Description:

Comparative Analysis

The purpose of this essay is to compare and contrast two writers from the field of art therapy. Those two writers are, Noah Hass-Cohen and Vija Lusebrink. Drawing from their recent works related to the topic of neuroscientific perspectives in art therapy, this writer will explore how each of the author's published literature presents current findings on brain functioning. Additionally, their works each exemplify a distinct view point on both art therapy and neuroscience findings which will be reviewed throughout this analysis.

Comparing and contrasting the two art therapy writers, Noah Hass-Cohen and Vija Lusebrink makes apparent ways in which findings from fields such as neuroscience can be applied in a clinical context to the field of art therapy. Such application can facilitate a process of hypothesis formation in regards to what is being stimulated or changed within a client as a result of therapy. Such hypothesis formation aids in the establishment of therapeutic goals and in the documentation of procedures which were associated with effective treatment. Both Noah Hass-Cohen and Vija Lusebrink address brain functioning but at differing levels of processing which parallel distinct approaches within the field of neuroscience. Their differences in view point on art therapy can be noted in their developed methodology.

Link:
https://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AWQ9sgIm3iAZZGhodzNyMjJfNDE5aDUzbms1Yzc&hl=en

New Research Downloadable

Here is a recent posting that was found on the online chat group AiT:

The Neuroscience of Art Therapy is really interesting to me. Something
changes in the mind when art-making takes place. Most of the people reading
this already know through personal experience that this is true. I set
about researching neuroplasticity a couple of years ago, reading books about
the subject that I found interesting. I just followed my curiosity and soon
enough I was putting ideas together, synthesizing the bits of information I
collected into a cohesive whole.

Here's the gist of it. Learning creates neuronal links. Art making does
this, too. Making art keeps us mentally sharp in the same way that exercise
keeps us physically fit. One of the favorite books in my research immersion
is "In Search of Memory" by Eric Kandel. He came to neuroscience by way of
psychiatric training. The author was born in Austria and he had a
fascination with Freudian psychoanalysis. Knowing that all mental functions
have a physical manifestation in the brain, he was intensely curious about
the question, "Where in the brain does the ID reside?" What Kandel did find
is where and how short term memory becomes long-term memory. He discovered
that the emotional charge of a fearful or anxious memory in the amygdala is
moderated - lessened - when that memory becomes conscious. Bringing the
unconscious into conscious awareness helps dissipate the intense emotional
charge around it.

How could this NOT be exciting to an art therapist???

To read the whole paper I wrote, including a full bibliography, it is
available for purchase here:
http://www.Centerfo rCreativeGrowth. com/cat001. html

Susan

Susan Boyes , MA. ATR-BC, LPC
Board Certified Art Therapist
Licensed Professional Counselor
www.centerforcreati vegrowth. com
www.artistrees. blogspot. com
Art Therapy for Creative Renewal

Study Art therapy in India this Summer with GWU

The Office for Study Abroad has extended the application deadline for 7 of the summer short-term abroad courses

Summer 2010

EXTENDED APPLICATION DEADLINE: APRIL 1st
The Office for Study Abroad is extending the application deadline for the following short-term abroad programs:

Art Therapy: International Social and Cultural Diversity (ARTH 230.60)
http://studyabroad.gwu.edu/?go=arttherapy

The Invisible Man Paintings

I found out about this from THE art therapy blog, and found this artist very interesting. I thought I'd share here also.

Top 12 Liu Bolin Invisible Man Paintings
March 8th

You may not have heard of Liu Bolin, and you probably haven’t seen him either. But it’s possible he’s standing right next to you. One of my favorite artists, Liu Bolin injects himself into everyday settings. Known as The Invisible Man, Liu takes a unique and creative approach to performance art. Check out a short video about Liu and then see what we’ve deemed are the Top 12 Liu Bolin Invisible Man Pictures/Paintings:

How Chinese Artist, Liu Bolin, Becomes The Invisible Man

“…my art is cultural. It represents the diminishing humanity in today’s society. I use my art to be retrospective on culture…the environment and fast economic development.”

Top 12 Liu Bolin Invisible Man Paintings/Pictures

We hand-picked 12 of our favorite Liu Bolin paintings and images. It’s pretty amazing and inspiring to see the result of what looks like quite the arduous process. Enjoy!
(Click here to see the pictures via PDF)

Read more: http://www.arttherapyblog.com/artwork/top-12-liu-bolin-invisible-man-artist-paintings/#ixzz0iIzwIofB

Next Weekend!

http://symposium.camp7.org/Default.aspx?pageId=467791&eventId=96769&EventViewMode=EventDetails
ENHANCING OUR HEALING Skills in Trauma: An Art Therapy Perspective

Rescheduled for March 13, 2010

The goals for the symposium, as suggested by our collective membership, are to provide both a didactic and experiential approach to learning, to address clinical theories for workingwith traumatized populations. These may include, but are not limited to, sensory interventions, mindfulness, public service education, inpatient andoutpatient treatment, as well as the need for self-care for vicarious traumatization.

The objectives for the one-day symposium are as follows;
-Review theory and background on current traumatic populations.
-Identify and apply two art therapy techniques to use with traumatized populations.
-Understand and distinguish between 2-3 art therapy concepts associated with appropriate clinical application, with traumatic clients including sensory intervention, and mindfulness.
-Understand the role of mindfulness techniques in the treatment of trauma.

This opportunity features a Friday evening student reception, on February 5th, sponsored by The George Washington University Art Therapy Training Program. Saturday morning keynote lecture, followed by workshops.

Please note that registration at the MATA/PATA/VATA member rate is contingent upon confirmation of membership in one of the three organizations.

Fee: $150.00
If you are not a member, $15 must be paid before you will be admitted to the conference.The conference will begin --promptly-- at 8:45 a.m. The event will be held at the Alexandria campus of George Washington University:
The George Washington University,
Art Therapy Program
413 John Carlyle St., 2nd floor,
Alexandria, VA 22314
(this is between HSBCBank and the Carlyle Club)
The metro stop is King Street Metro and we are 2-3 blocks easy walk from the metro.

5 CEU's are being offered for this event (free for MATA, PATA, or VATAmembers, $30 for non-members).
Event Schedule: 8:45 - 10:45 Opening, Key Note Part I by Cathy Malchiodi
10:45 - 11:00 Break
11:00 - 12:30 Art Experiential
12:30 - 1:30 Lunch
1:30 - 3:00 Key Note Part II by Cathy Malchiodi
3:00 - 3:15 Break
3:15 - 4:45 Panel Presentation with Anne Mills, Tally Tripp and PattiPrugh
4:45 - 5:00 CEU's

Roots and Branches of the Healing Arts

Roots and Branches of the Healing Arts:
Coast Salish Traditions meet Creative Arts Therapies
CATA Conference 2010
Call for Submissions
Deadline May 31, 2010
The Canadian Art Therapy Association is planning to hold its 2010 Conference on August 12-14, 2010, in Duncan, Vancouver Island, British Columbia.
We invite you to submit proposals for experiential workshops, papers, or poster presentations. We welcome proposals from all creative arts modalities on the following themes:
· Roots of the creative arts therapies
· New approaches and applications of creative arts therapies
· Transpersonal/spiritual aspects of the creative arts therapies
· Self-Care: Strengthening and protecting the arts therapist before, during and after sessions
· Working with boys and men
· Neuroscience and the arts therapies
The conference will be held at the Quw'utsun Cultural Conference Center. For more information on this beautiful location please see their site at
http://www.quwutsun.ca

Dear friends of the Art Life Studio,

Happy March! Spring is coming, and we are excited to announce our studio offerings and NEW classes!


We welcome the return of spring this month with a special "Creatress" Spring Equinox Workshop on March 20th, followed by two new classes, SOUL QUEST and ROOTS & WINGS. The Re-Imagining your Life through ART class will also be offered this season, a new favorite for inspiring a soul-full and engaging approach to shaping one's life as a full expression of self.

Please find below course descriptions and schedules. As always, please forward to others you feel may be interested and to contact me by e-mail or phone (434.996.8087) if you have questions and/or would like to register for an event or schedule a private session.

Hope you can join us in the studio as we tend the wild garden of the soul through deep play and renewal in the arts!

Very best wishes,

Jena



Spring at the Art Life Studio



Tending the Wild Garden of the Soul




SAVE THE DATE!
Friday, May 7, 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Art Opening & Spring Open House




Spring Class & Workshop Schedule


Please note: Advance registration is required for all classes/workshops.
Payment plans may be available for classes; please ask!
Registration forms are available at: www.theartlifestudio.com



CREATRESS
Women’s Spring Equinox Expressive Arts Workshop
Saturday, March 20, 1:30 - 5:30 pm


Every woman is creative and has the innate capacity to be an artist of her own life.
In this afternoon art retreat, we welcome the return of spring by gathering in a spirited community of women to plant new seeds of inspiration and awaken to our deepest potential. Through art-making and reflection, celebration and ceremony, we will create a contemplative space to listen deeply to the compelling images and dreams emerging from within. Visual art-making, poetry, authentic movement, writing and music will be our companions and guides. As we engage the Creatress within, we will focus on strengthening our connection to the feminine, claiming our inner knowing and body wisdom, and becoming artists of our everyday lives. This is a wonderful gift to yourself, offering replenishment, nourishment and artistic practices to support you in embodying and harvesting what is presently unfolding in your life. ( Early Bird Registration: $65 by March 6 or $75 after March 6, materials included)


Re-IMAGINING Life through ART
Intermodal Expressive Arts Class
Thursdays, 7 - 9:30 pm
April 1 - May 27 (8-weeks, no class May 13)


This spring, join a spirited group of adventurous souls as we immerse ourselves in DEEP PLAY in the ARTS to imagine new possibilities for shaping life as a full expression of self. We will use painting, dreamwork, clay, writing, poetry, collage, authentic movement, journal making and creative enactments to explore how art-making as a contemplative practice can help us build a bridge between our inner life and the actions we wish to take in the outer world, the life we imagine for ourselves.


Taught from an intermodal expressive arts perspective, participants will experience how the layering of art modalities enhances our capacity for artistic expression, self-awareness and re-imagining our lives. Each class will include time for individual art-making and reflection, community sharing and ritual, and ideas for shaping a personal arts-based practice to support you in cultivating courageous conversations with yourself and your art. All levels of experience welcome in this community art studio where everyone is an artist and a beginner as we follow our images towards new frontiers in our art and life. ( $285, materials included)




SOUL QUEST
Women’s Expressive Arts Group (NEW!)
Tuesdays, 7 - 9:30 pm
April 13 - May 25 (6-weeks, no class May 11)


This 6-week group offers an enlivening space to explore art-making as a path to soul-making. We will use painting, embodied writing, authentic movement, collage and mixed media sculpture to give voice to the depths of stories, dreams and possibilities within us. In doing so, we awaken the artist within, gathering new vision and insight for responding to life’s challenges and transitions with passion, presence and purpose.


The expressive arts offer multiple ways of attending to soul, inviting us to pay close attention to the vast reservoirs of creativity, imagination and body wisdom within us. Soul Quest is an invitation to journey deeply towards your true self, calling forth your creative gifts and unique way of belonging to the world. Through in-depth art-making explorations, ritual and creating together in community, each woman will quest towards her own discovery of becoming an artist of her life. All levels of experience welcome.($260/most materials included)




ROOTS & WINGS
Tending the Cycles of the Creative Process in Art & Life (NEW!)
Women’s Expressive Arts Group
Thursdays, 10:30 am - 1 pm
April 8 - May 27 (7-weeks, no class May 13, special registration instructions below*)


In this advanced expressive arts group, we focus on deepening our roots in the wild soul, claiming our inner knowing and body wisdom, and taking flight into new directions in our lives and art. We will use visual art-making, embodied writing, movement, poetry and dreams of the waking and sleeping world to nurture new growth and potential. Throughout the process, participants will conceive and shape a large scale artwork, integrating important symbols, themes and stories from their life journey. Drawing on mythic stories of the feminine, intermodal expressive arts explorations, and ecotherapy, we will gather inspiration and guidance for attending to the cycles of the creative process in art-making and in life.
Pre-Requisite: Previous group work at the Art Life Studio or with permission from instructor. Space is limited; Registration deadline: March 25
($275, most materials included, participants may wish to bring personal images, materials and elements of nature to embellish their large-scale work)


Individual Expressive Arts Therapy,
ART Life Coaching Sessions,
& Arts-based Supervision:


(Offered by appointment; sliding scale available)


To register for an event and/or schedule a private session, please contact:


Jena Leake, M.A., R.E.A.T.
Registered Expressive Arts Therapist
The ART Life Studio
www.theartlifestudio.com
434.996.8087

GW's Research Day, special focus on Autism.

Dear all:

Please mark your calendar - on Wednesday, March 10th, art therapy will be featured as part of GW's Research Day, with a special focus this year on autism.

The event is open to the public. Please encourage parents of children with autism especially to attend. Learn more here: http://gwumc.edu/research/researchday.html


I hope to see you there!

Regards,
Donna Betts

Donna Betts, PhD, ATR-BC
Assistant Professor
Art Therapy Program
The George Washington University
1925 Ballenger Avenue, Suite 250
Alexandria, VA 22314
dbetts@gwu.edu