October 22, 2026 | By Sambridhi Poudyal, AATA2026 Laura Greenstone Scholarship Recipient
Sambridhi Poudyal received the 2026 Laura Greenstone Scholarship, which honors Laura Greenstone and supports masters-level African-American and Afro-Caribbean art therapy students committed to diverse and inclusive practice.
Sambridhi is a candidate for a Master of Science in Art Therapy Counseling and a Master of Science in Clinical Counseling at Emporia State University.
It was an honor to meet the researchers and pioneers in the field of art therapy that I’ve studied and admired so deeply. Sharing a space with so many professionals, each with at least a few things in common, felt surreal.
“With over 800 people emotionally attuned to their artist self, every conversation made me feel seen and deeply connected.
Seeing so much passion in their work, and their eyes glistening as they talked about it, has sparked something in my own artist identity and ignited the passion within me.”
— Sambridhi Poudyal
This was my first AATA conference, and meeting Dr. Girija Kaimal and Kim Valldejuli, who have published numerous papers on heritage art and culturally responsive art therapy practice, was awe-inspiring.
I also had the pleasure of meeting Judy Rubin, who has practiced art therapy since 1963, published numerous books, and helped shape the field into what it is today.
Judy Rubin’s warmth and curiosity toward new art therapy professionals and students will stay with me for the rest of my life.
In addition, I had the chance to meet Emporia State University art therapy alumni who practice across the country, along with Dave Gussak, who has built foundational work in forensic and correctional art therapy with books like Art on Trial. He coordinates Florida State University’s Department of Corrections Art Therapy in Prisons program, and it was deeply reassuring to see pioneers like him make room for the new voices and emerging professionals.
