October 19, 2017
Heather Denning, MA, ATR-BC, ATCS, LSW teaches art therapy at Mercyhurst University and directs the undergraduate art therapy program and teaches graduate-level art therapy courses at Ursuline College during the summer. She has supervised many graduate art therapy students in their internship placements at her worksite. This year, Ms. Denning looks forward to the annual conference, and says, “I recall experiencing AATA conferences as a student and how exciting it was to be amongst all these creative, caring, passionate people. I still feel the same way many years later and I am eagerly looking forward to attending the AATA conference in New Mexico this November and reconnecting to other professionals and old friends.”
Denning practiced art therapy in Ohio for nearly twenty years, facilitating and directing group therapy programs for adults with severe mental illnesses and dual diagnoses in community outpatient, mental health settings. She notes, “The beauty of art therapy is always being able to witness the unique qualities of individuals through their art. Being able to connect others to art is a gift.
Denning is also looking forward to a service learning trip with both Mercyhurst University and Ursuline College art therapy students to Nepal in January, 2018. In the future, she hopes “to see art therapists receive the same recognition by insurance companies as providers in related fields.”
“Bleeding Heart” by Heather Denning. July, 2017. Chalk pastel.
Artist statement: “’Bleeding Heart’ was created in response to coping with the grief associated with seeing my father face Alzheimer’s disease. I wanted to demonstrate how art could be an avenue for expression and exploration of thoughts and emotions areas in which art therapy can explore. The bleeding heart represented in the drawing is a symbol of love and grief. My goal was to capture both the pain of this disease and the love I have for my father.”