July 20, 2024 | By Dejah M. Chapple, George Washington University Art Therapy Graduate Student and AATA National Office Intern
Some of you may remember me from the registration desk (as in this photo!) at last year’s AATA annual conference in San Diego. I wanted to share my experience about the conference, in case you are wondering whether it’s worth it to attend AATA2024 in Pittsburgh – or whether you belong there.
Here’s a look at what I learned, who I met, and, of course, the overall vibe.
The Learning Opportunities and the People
First of all, there are more than 200 learning sessions at the AATA2024 conference! While you may not be looking for Continuing Education credit, these sessions will help you explore new subjects or emerging issues in our field. And they are all taught by amazing leaders in art therapy from around the world! (See the sessions by subject track.)
Second, the people attending the conference are a mix of inspiring luminaries in the field (the ones you read about in your coursework), the rising stars (who are just as inspiring), and students like us who are eager to connect. The real conversations happened after sessions or after hours, in the hallways and common areas. Last year, everyone’s brains were buzzing, and we were all so open to share our own perspectives with each other.
Some highlights for me were when I happened to meet Dave Gussak, PhD, ATR-BC, HLM, having read about his work in class, as well as Linda Gantt, PhD, ATR-BC! They, like so many others, were approachable and eager to meet the “next generation” of professionals.
My tip is to look at people’s name tags and introduce yourself!
(Photo: With Linda Gantt)
The Vibe
If this will be your first time attending a conference, or feel a little overwhelmed at the thought of a conference with 1,000 people, let me tell you about the vibe. The AATA conferences are where long-time professionals go to get inspired and re-connect with the passion that brought them to our profession in the first place. I was surprised by how committed so many of us were about issues, like social justice, equity, and access to mental health care especially for marginalized communities. I can assure you that you’ll find connection and belonging at AATA2024.
And if you don’t know where to start, make sure to attend the Newcomer’s Session on Oct. 6, or just come by the Open Art Studio. It’s where everyone goes to process what they’ve learned, make art with friends, or spontaneously meet people. The Open Art Studio has literally hundreds of pounds of art supplies where you can get messy! (Trust me, I know this because I helped lay the Visqueen plastic sheeting on the floor at last year’s conference! 😊)
I truly hope to meet you at AATA2024 in Pittsburgh. In the meantime, if you have questions, please reach out to the National Office team at conference@arttherapy.org or connect with me on Instagram at @dejahchapple