AATA Blog
The Art of Origami: An Art Therapist Explains its History and Use in Trauma Work
May 29, 2019 | Trauma |#WeAreArtTherapists |
Origami within the context of an art therapy session can have many uses, including‒but not limited to‒ helping people deal with trauma, practicing mindfulness, and even promoting sensorimotor skills or frustration tolerance. However, the art form has a history that spans back even further than the term “origami” itself. We spoke with art therapist and creator of Expressive Origami Therapy (EOT), Toshiko Kobayashi, LCAT, ATCS, ATR-BC, to get a more in-depth look into the origins of origami, as well as its past and modern role in art therapy practice.
Featured Member: Jordan Potash, Editor in Chief, Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association
May 2, 2019 | #WeAreArtTherapists | Research |
“Research is fundamentally an exercise in curiosity. We are all researchers looking to explain the world. Any phenomenon is ripe for understanding. Researchers are wonderers who need to select the best method for the given situation. Some are best interpreted in stories, some in numbers, and others through art. They can be observed just once or repeatedly over time. Authors should keep in mind that when it comes time to communicate what they found and how they found it, they should write from that perspective’s frame of truth so their studies can be validated on its own terms.”
The NEA Once Again Faces Proposed Elimination: Join Us in Requesting a $12.5 Million Increase
March 28, 2019 | Advocacy
On March 18, President Trump released his FY 2020 budget recommending, for the third consecutive year, complete termination of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and Corporation for Public Broadcasting. In the last two fiscal years, Congress has firmly rejected this proposal − opting instead for minor increases.
Ask Me Anything! Featuring Dr. Cheryl Doby-Copeland
March 6, 2019 | #WeAreArtTherapists
Cheryl Doby-Copeland, PhD, ATR-BC, LPC, LMFT, HLM joins us at the AATA National Office to answer your questions, and talk about her perspectives on art therapy practice, addressing diversity, working with trauma, and more.
Creative Forces Veteran Testifies on behalf of the AATA before U.S. House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee
February 28, 2019 | Advocacy
On Tuesday February 26, 2019 Christopher Stowe Master Gunnery Sergeant, USMC (ret.) testified on behalf of the AATA alongside Americans for the Arts President and CEO Robert L. Lynch before the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee. They urged the subcommittee to fund the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) at $167.5 for FY 2020, a $12.5 million increase from FY 2019.
The History of the Annual Pearlie Roberson Multicultural Quilt Project
February 28, 2019 | By Delora Putnam-Bryant
Quilts and quilt making in the African American culture can be traced back to the times when black Americans were enslaved. There are several accounts of how slaves incorporated the techniques of quilting from their native land’s fabric making process, and enslaved Americans passed down quilting to other slaves. Materials gathered from scraps of fabric that could no longer be used, were repurposed to create quilts.
Laura Greenstone’s Vision for the African-American and Afro-Caribbean Art Therapy Student Scholarship
February 21, 2019 | By Jack Harris | #WeAreArtTherapists
Laura Greenstone died on July 18, 2018 suddenly, but not necessarily unexpectedly. In the year before she died, she had begun increasingly to talk about where she had been and where she was going, as well as where her profession had been and where it was going. Together we began to take steps to secure Laura’s work and legacy as we began some intensive estate and disability planning. As part of these efforts, Laura made a bequest of $25,000 to the American Art Therapy Association for the establishment of a scholarship to support masters-level African-American and Afro-Caribbean art therapy students.
Featured Member: Cheryl Doby-Copeland, 2018 Recipient of Honorary Lifetime Member Award
February 7, 2019 | #WeAreArtTherapists
During the annual conference, the AATA was honored to bestow the 2018 Honorary Lifetime Member (HLM) award to Cheryl Doby-Copeland, PhD, ATR-BC, LPC, LMFT, in recognition of her vast contributions to the field and Association. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated excellence in leadership, clinical work, research, character, and mentorship.
Share Your Memories, Moments, and Milestones of Art Therapy on Social Media
January 17, 2019 | #WeAreArtTherapists
We’re kicking off our 50th anniversary year with a fun, collaborative social media project celebrating the art therapy profession! Already, people have shared dozens of remarkable personal stories about their journey to art therapy, as well as heartfelt memories and experiences being an art therapist.
AATA Conference Attendees Send Stars of HOPE Following the Tallahassee Yoga Studio Shooting
January 3, 2019 | By Stephanie Wray
Every year at the annual conference of the American Art Therapy Association, attendees are invited to create artwork in the open studio — a wonderful way to step back and process during the intensive days of learning. At the 2018 conference held in Miami, attendees were invited to join Stars of HOPE, USA in painting 12-inch wooden stars with a message of hope.