AATA Blog
Sign up to Volunteer in the Open Art Studio at AATA2026!
The Open Art Studio is one of the most-used spaces at conference, giving attendees a place to create, reflect, and connect with peers between sessions. It’s about more than making art. It’s also an opportunity to build relationships with colleagues, friends, and new connections.
Volunteering is another way to get involved, support AATA, and connect with peers, faculty, and programs. Learn more about all of the volunteer opportunities available to AATA Members at AATA2026!
The Cornerstone of Our Field: The Visionary Art Exhibit Comes to Charlotte
This October, attendees at the 2026 American Art Therapy Association (AATA) Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, will have a rare opportunity to stand in the presence of history. The Art of the Visionaries of Art Therapy exhibition is returning for its fourth year, bringing with it a powerful, tangible reminder that the very foundation of our profession rests squarely on the backs of artists.
Behind the Scenes of “Idea to Article”: A Practical Guide to Publishing Art Therapy Research
AATA’s Doctoral Education Committee and Multicultural Committee have released a new guide to help researchers turn ideas into published articles. The guide breaks the publishing process into ten stages, from finding your idea to sharing your finished work, with practical guidance, reflection prompts, and insight from experienced authors.
“There was no one guide that clearly outlined how to shape an idea into an article,” Dr. Christine Phang, PhD, ATR, the guide’s creator explained. “I realized that this was a serious gap in our profession. Art therapy research needs diverse voices from the field in order to grow.”
Featured Member: Maggie Deininger Berris
“Switching into this field has been the best decision I’ve ever made. My ADHD and neurodivergence position me to be profoundly successful and impactful, as creativity, empathy / emotional intelligence, humor, research, speaking/educating, advocacy, networking, leadership, and writing are my strengths, and align with this profession.”
Featured Member: Leara Glinzak
“The Research Committee keeps me inspired; the passion this group brings always helps to make my light brighter, helps me consider new ideas along with collaboration, learn from others, and enhances my creativity.”
Join the Fall 2026 Mentor Match Cohort
Registration is open for the Fall 2026 Mentor Match Cohort. Register as a mentor, mentee, or both!
AATA Undergraduate Education Committee Summer 2026 Updates
Welcome to the 2026 Summer Edition of the Undergraduate Art Therapy Educators Newsletter.
Featured Member: Liz Hlavek, AATA2026 Conference Chair
“I think as our profession rises, we need to shed the fear of being ‘othered’ or disrespected, and focus instead on advocating and educating those who are unfamiliar with our work.” – Liz Hlavek, AATA2026 Conference Chair
The Studio as Witness: Queer Art Therapy, Community, and Care
June 25, 2026 In this thoughtful conversation, Zachary D. Van Den Berg, MA, ATR-BC, LPC (they/he), a queer and genderqueer art therapist, reflects on the studio as a place of witness, queer lineage, imagination, and ethical care. Moving between personal...
Tender Tit: Speaking from a Soft Place this Pride Month
“The weight right now is real, and it is not evenly held. Trans folks. Queer people of color. Elders who recognize this moment in their bodies and who have lived through earlier versions of this fear, who are carrying the recognition of it now. Young people learning to grieve collectively without the maps their elders drew. I do not look away from where the heaviness gathers.” — Kachina Mooney, art therapist