March 23, 2017
Gail Wetherell-Sack, ATR-BC, LPCC-S earned an MA from University of Akron and was trained in art therapy at the University of Illinois with Harriet Wadeson and with Mary K. McGraw, founder of the Art Therapy Studio. She has worked as an art therapist since 1983. With an emphasis on trauma recovery, she uses art psychotherapy as a primary method in her work with adolescents, adults, families and groups. She teaches art therapy courses at Walsh University and Ursuline College and provides supervision for students and clinicians.
Gail is particularly excited to be serving as a consultant for the development and implementation of “Art for Health & Healing,” an innovative program at the Canton Museum of Art. This program provides mental health group members, from collaborating mental health agencies, the opportunity to visit the Museum, tour the exhibits, and engage in creative art experiences. Participants have reported powerful results such as the ability to think more clearly and to feel relaxed, empowered, at peace, and mellow.
She values the AATA Conference where her colleagues have been a source of information and inspiration. Gail has a strong belief in “giving back” to her national and state association and has been very active in her chapter, the Buckeye Art Therapy Association (BATA). She held the positions of President and of Membership and Publications Chair and additionally served on the BATA Legislative Committee for 30 years. BATA awarded her an Honorary Life Membership in 1996.
“70 Media Avenue, aka Celebrating 70” by Gail Wetherell-Sack. 2015. Mixed Media (70 varieties).
Artist Statement: “Art is my sanctuary, my place of peace, healing and joy. The process of creating a collage takes me on a spiritual journey inward to a place where time stands still. This tiny point of stillness provides a wide-open space to connect to my truest self, others and the Universe. Collage is like therapy. It takes disparate pieces and puts them back together into a new, different and often times amazing new whole.”