Expressive Arts Workshops and Classes
Exciting News!
I will be teaching Touch Drawing through Five Towns Adult Education in March and at Waterfall Arts in Belfast
during the month of May
For more information and registration information go to: https://fivetowns.coursestorm.com/course/introduction-to-touch-drawing
or https://waterfallarts.org/event/touch-drawing/
For more general information about Expressive Arts Facilitation and
Touch Drawing read further!
What is Expressive Arts Facilitation?
Expressive Arts is a relatively new field and while it shares some principles of art therapy, it is separate and distinct from art therapy. Most importantly if you are attending an Expressive Arts Workshop or Class we are not “doing therapy.” The “leader” functions as a facilitator, not a teacher and not a therapist.
While engaging in the Expressive Arts does help reduce anxiety, improve mood and form connections, in a workshop such as these, there is no diagnosis or defined problem to work on. The “goal” in an Expressive Arts Workshop is to help participants access their own creative spirit to explore their inner world and their innate ability to grow and heal in a safe and supportive environment. Most people find the experience pleasurable, inspiring and calming. The facilitator offers creative prompts or leading questions for participants to explore through expressive mediums such as paint, collage, movement, drawing, writing or sound.
While the facilitator guides the process with prompts, suggestions and the offer of materials; the facilitator does not interpret the participants' work. Each participant is able to gain their own insights based on their own process and associations and is free to choose whether or not to share their insights with the facilitator and group.
While there might be some basic instruction in the use of art materials so participants feel comfortable using the materials, Expressive Arts Workshops are not art classes and art making techniques such as figure drawing or landscape painting are not taught.
The good news is that you do not need to be an artist or have experience with art making materials to participate and benefit from the experience! All art materials will be provided. Pre-registration is required for all workshops.
“Touch Drawing is a simple yet profound process. Paper is placed over wet paint. The pressure of fingertips on the page forms images on the underside. The hands are extensions of the soul, moving in response to the sensations of the moment. Channels of expression open, enabling feelings to flow. A series of drawings is created, each a stepping stone deeper into the self.
This act of creation unleashes vibrant healing forces that guide the psyche toward wholeness. Even an unconfident artist can experience the fulfillment of seeing their interior life come alive on paper. Touch Drawing is used by artists, therapists, social workers, health care practitioners, educators and intuitives. Touch Drawing is a practice of creative, psychological and spiritual integration.”
Deborah Koff-Chapman, Founder Center for Touch Drawing
Please note that if you are a current or former psychotherapy patient and you are interested in the expressive arts please contact me directly
Comments from previous participants:
“Being able to put feelings onto paper by either writing or painting, makes the process of examining and understanding them more “real.” It is enjoyable to be an artist of emotion. I am amazed at how my feelings evolved during the class.”
“Even if you think you are "unartistic," it's amazing how much personal insight you can gain by working in a creative medium that is unfamiliar, even scary,...and how much fun you can find it to be!”
“The Expressive Arts class got my playful, creative sap flowing more freely. I had wonderful body memories of creating at summer camp, in grade school, and at home with my sisters. It also strengthened my self listening and gentleness.”
“All those wonderful colors in an art store are so captivating - paints and pens and pastels. But you're someone who wasn't "good" in art, so you look, but don't touch, and certainly don't buy. Here's your chance to play with all those bright goodies - all the colors in the rainbow -- and see what you have to say about yourself without words.”
“I love my time with Barbara. Through her sensitivity and art training and I find a part of me emerging that I wasn't aware of ---I can cover so much up in my daily, "noisy" life and some things need to be set free.”