Creative Action in Art Therapy

7th Annual Conference Co-sponsored by the Art Therapy Programs at Caldwell College and the New Jersey Art Therapy Association

9:00am-5:00pm
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Caldwell College Caldwell, NJ

*Each of the afternoon workshops requires an additional $5. materials fee, payable to the presenter.

For conference information, contact Marie Wilson at 973-618-3511 or mwilson@caldwell.edu.
For registration information, contact Harryet Ehrlich at 973-831-9169 or harryete@optonline.net.

For a registration form click here.

Keynote Speaker Patricia B. Allen, PhD, ATR
Pat Allen is an artist, art therapist, and author of Art is a Way of Knowing and Art is a Spiritual Path. She teaches at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and facilitates workshops nationwide. Dr. Allen has been a primary voice in the community studio movement within art therapy and an advocate for the arts in social activism.

7.5 CECs approved from the American Art Therapy Association, an approved provider for the NBCC. Approval #08-02

Saturday, April 12, 2008
Alumni Theatre

8:30-9:00 Registration and Continental Breakfast

9:00-9:30 Welcome

9:30-10:15 Keynote Speaker Pat Allen, PhD, ATR
"Art Therapy and Social Responsibility"
Art therapists are called to action! This keynote explores how practitioners can incorporate the techniques and approaches of art therapy to address social problems and examine the expanding role of art practitioner as social activist. The art therapist as activist uses creative methods effectively to resolve conflicts, manage aggression, heal trauma, and build communities.

10:15-10:50 Morning Plenary
Pat Allen, PhD, ATR
Bonnie Berkowitz, ATR-BC
Maria Lupo, ATR
Laura Salley, ATR-BC
Elaine Shor, ATR-BC
Rosalie Skakum, ATR-BC
"Keepers of the Flame: The Role of Art-making in Art Therapy"
What is the relationship between our work as art therapists and artists? This panel of active artists/art therapists discusses their experience with integrating both roles. How can the artist in ourselves enhance our clinical work and our clinical work stimulate our creative process?

Morning Presentations: 11:00am-12:15pm

1. Facing Homelessness: Using Mask- making to Heighten Social Awareness
Pat B. Allen, PhD, ATR

Breaking down stereotypes and heightening awareness about pressing social issues is ev-eryone's duty. "Facing Homelessness," an innovative, art-based, community project featured mask-making in a studio drop-in center where the homeless were invited to make art. Masks were also displayed in order to depict the humanity common to all.

2. Writing to Present
Mary Ellen McAlevey, ATR-BC

Many art therapists work with a significant population, use a novel approach, or manipulate art media in an inventive way. In a right-brained field, these ideas might not translate well to a left-brained proposal submission format. This presentation will delineate the points that potential presenters need to follow in order to have a conference proposal accepted and for the proposal to comply with CEC guidelines.

3. Embodied Art Psychotherapy
Dan Summer, ATR-BC

Developmental Transformations is a form of embodied psychotherapy. Developed by David Read Johnson, this technique accesses trauma, stored in our bodies. Through the use of movement, voice and sound, individuals act on their impulses and process their underlying conflicts. A safe space is provided for individuals as the therapist is the primary play object to partake, as well as witness the process. This workshop will discuss the history of developmental transformations as well as how the use of art creates a visualization of the experience.

4. Out of Control: Increasing Frustration Tolerance in Children Through Art
Annette Vaccaro, ATR-BC

Children naturally engage in art-making to express their joys, challenges, struggles, and experiences. This talk will explore the feeling of others being out of control and the internal process which can slow down destructive action and enhance cooperative functioning through art-making. A case of a 16-year old adolescent with Intermittent Explosive Disorder will be presented.

Art Show: Keepers of the Flame 1:00-2:00pm

Special Events and Contributors
Book World of Caldwell
Jerry's Art Supplies
Book Signing with Pat Allen

Afternoon Workshops*: 2:15-5:00pm

5. Art Therapy with Cancer Patients and Survivors
Susan Arones
This program will describe the use of art therapy to help cancer patients address the emotions related to each stage of their cancer journey-diagnosis, treatment, remission, re-occurrence, and impending death.

6. The Art of Friendship: Art Therapy Social Skills Groups for Children with Neuro- logical Social Cognitive Deficits
Michael Fogel, ATR-BC

There is hope for this population! The work requires accurate assessment and effective treatment which includes: social skills groups; individual and parent training, and collaborative therapy that integrates support and training across settings. Participants will learn about this emerging and rapidly growing population, including art therapy social skills groups.

7. Printmaking for the Art Therapy Session
Mary Gambarony, ATR-BC

Molly Gaston-Johnson, MFA Printmaking for the beginner will be discussed. Applications of methods and materials suitable for the art therapy session will be presented. Aspects of the printmaking process that can be therapeutic for our clients will be presented through discussion and experiential. Participants will have the opportunity to complete a simple printmaking process.

8. Art Therapy with the Visually Impaired
Joseph Jaworek

Participants will work in a group environment, fostering a safe haven for personal creativity through hands-on experiences in art. Sensitivity training for art therapists will be provided, including encouragement to engage in dialogue which enhances a vocabulary sensitive to the world experienced by the blind and visually impaired.

9. The Role of Destruction in Creativity and Healing
Laura Loumeau-May, ATR-BC
Rita Klachkin, ATR-BC
Susan Dannemiller, ATR-BC

Creation is thought of as the antonym of destruction. Art therapists value the creative process, respect the product, and protect client artwork from harm. However, sometimes destruction occurs inadvertently or intentionally, at the hands of the client-artist. This workshop will examine the destruction of artwork clinically, historically, and culturally, and will reconsider the theme therapeutically.

10. Heartfelt Change: A Workshop for Art Therapists, Particularly Those Who Experience Feelings of Being Stuck
Elizabeth Rundquist, ATR-BC

Art therapists often encounter a variety of obstacles in the mental health workplace, particularly around issues of understanding and respect for the profession. The presenter will specifically elicit feelings, both positive and negative, around workplace issues.

*Each of the afternoon workshops requires an additional $5. materials fee, payable to the presenter.

For conference information, contact Marie Wilson at 973-618-3511 or mwilson@caldwell.edu.
For registration information, contact Harryet Ehrlich at 973-831-9169 or harryete@optonline.net.

For a registration form click here.

Conference Objectives
To participate in practitioner education and professional development in art therapy
To network with other art therapy professionals in New Jersey and surrounding areas

Directions to Caldwell College

From the NJ Turnpike (Exit 15W or 15E) or Garden State Parkway (Exit 145): Route 280 West to Exit 5B (527 North, Caldwell). At the end of Livingston Ave, turn right onto Eagle Rock Ave and take the first left onto Roseland Ave. At the end of Roseland Ave, turn right onto Bloomfield Ave. Make a right at the next light into the new college entrance. Follow to the large parking lot on the right. Follow signs to Parking, then Alumni Theatre.

From Route 80: Take Exit 52, following signs for the Caldwells onto Passaic Ave. Go 3.4 miles and turn left onto Bloomfield Ave. Go 2 miles to the first traffic light beyond the Caldwell business district and turn right into the new college entrance. Follow directions above.

From NYC by public transportation: The DeCamp Bus Line services the Caldwell area (#33). Buses leave regularly from Port Authority. Contact them for schedule: 973-783-7500 or www.decamp.com