Whether you are a seasoned artist or someone who believes there is not an artistic bone in your body, there is no end to the possible ways that you can engage deeply with your true self and experience the shifts in perspective, balance, inner harmony, and relaxation that come from expressing your creativity at the Expressive Arts Burlington studio.
The good news is – no previous art experience is necessary to join in and get a lot out of your experience here.
I love working in the expressive arts with individuals and groups. Because expressive arts facilitation is a relatively new field, people often confuse what I do with Art Therapy. I’d like to offer my brief description of the difference between expressive arts facilitation and art therapy.
The difference between Art Therapy and Expressive Arts Facilitation
In short, art therapy concerns itself primarily with the use of visual art and uses a medical model to make a diagnosis. It assumes that there is a problem or illness which must be fixed or cured. Visual art interventions are used to focus on and reveal the psychology of a client. The art therapist, usually together with the client, interprets the symbolism in the client’s artwork and helps the client make connections from the images in the artwork to the client’s emotional issues.
In contrast, Expressive Arts Facilitation/Consultation is oriented towards the life affirming and healing qualities of creative expression. It uses what is called a multi-modal approach where all of the arts; visual art making, movement, poetry, music and drama are employed. The process of making art and the inherent structures of the artistic mediums furthers a person’s ability to communicate.
My job as a facilitator is to foster an atmosphere of acceptance and safety which allows the client/participant to enter the unknown and explore all aspects of their expression. My job is to create a space where a person’s expressions are not judged or evaluated by any confining institutional ideas of what wellness looks like.
It is such an honor to witness people engaging their imaginations and play in the expressive arts.
At Expressive Arts Burlington, we engage in the arts in many ways
Some of the modalities employed at Expressive Arts Burlington include:
- Visual Arts: painting, drawing, collage, sand play, clay, mandalas
- Music: drumming, singing, toning, music-making, listening
- Writing: journaling, creative writing, haiku, poetry
- Movement: dance, authentic movement, yoga
- Drama: improvisation, storytelling, role-playing
Engaging in the arts relieves stress. It is enlivening and improves our brain function. It helps us to quiet our minds and be present in the moment. Art roots us, heals us, and connects us to a means to express our most primal need to communicate and play. Playing in the arts stimulates creativity in all areas of our lives.
If you are interested in self-discovery, gaining clarity or exploring your creativity, come in for an individual one on one session. Or, join us for our group events and workshops.