American Art Therapy Association, Inc. 11160-C1 South Lakes Drive, Suite 813 Reston, VA 20191 Phone: 1-888-290-0878 Local: 571-252-7573 E-mail: info@arttherapy.org
2008 Conference Highlights
See a film highlighting major events at the 2008 Annual AATA Conference,
Cleveland, OH. Special thank you to AATA Member Gretchen Miller, ATR-BC,
and the Buckeye Art Therapy Association for the film!
Creative Collaboration: Art Therapists Partner with Habitat for Humanity
and Demonstrate What Makes a House a Home
Cleveland, OH – On Saturday January 17, 2009, on a bitter cold morning, the creative contributions of art therapists from Ohio and across the country helped brighten and warm the day for two Cleveland families beginning new lives in their Habitat for Humanity homes. As a part of the American Art Therapy Association’s (AATA) Annual Conference, held in Cleveland in November 2008, Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity and art therapists from across the country collaborated in a special AATA Service Project – to create a mural for Habitat’s new headquarters and to distribute “Art Kits for Kids” to Habitat families. The distribution of the first “Art Kits for Kids” was a featured part of dedication ceremony for two new Habitat homes that was attended by 100 family members, volunteers, staff, city officials and clergy.
All children whose Greater Cleveland Habitat homes are dedicated this year will receive the art kits assembled by Ohio art therapists. One hundred kits, each containing crayons, markers, pencils, glue sticks, paper, brushes and other art supplies with a personal note from the art therapist donating the kit, were donated to Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity.
Habitat’s creative collaboration with AATA extended beyond the homes and families they serve to their own home. Art therapists from all over the country sent sixty 18” square canvases to be used in a quilt-like mural reflecting the theme, “What makes a house a home?” During their November Conference, 20 art therapists and Habitat staff assembled the colorful, heart-felt art work on six large panels that now hang on the wall of their ReStore, which sells used or new donated construction materials and helps support Habitat programs. “While we had been told what the artists would be doing…until the 60 pieces arrived in our ReStore and assembling them began, it was only a concept…the framed mural has garnered praise from Trustees, staff, volunteers and customers alike. We are truly blessed by their gift and the dedication of the artists,” said Jeffrey M. Bowen, Executive Director of the Cleveland Habitat affiliate.
The American Art Therapy Association was founded in 1969 and develops and promotes educational and ethical standards for the practice of art therapy. AATA provides information to its members and the public regarding the field of art therapy through publications, a scholarly journal, conferences, and a web site (www.arttherapy.org). Art therapists are uniquely qualified use art and the creative process with children, adults, and families who have experienced traumatic events and individuals coping with mental illness or disabled by strokes, spinal cord injury, and other medical and psychosocial conditions. AATA (www.arttherapy.org) is a life affirming human service organization dedicated to promoting the understanding and therapeutic use of art making to its members, mental health and healthcare organizations, and the public. Habitat (www.clevelandhabitat.org) works in partnerships to eliminate substandard housing to enable families to improve their lives. Habitat and AATA are committed to meeting needs and improving the quality of life for all people, especially those who areimpoverished and under served by giving people the tools and incentive they need to help themselves.
For more information about the AATA/Habitat Collaborative Project please feel free to contact Jennifer Schwartz Wright, ATR-BC at info@arttherapy.org.
For more information about the field of art therapy please feel free the AATA National Office at info@arttherapy.org.
(2).jpg)
