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Austin Zucchini-Fowler
mural artist
Denver, Colorado
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Dear Colorado Art Therapy Association Members,
Due to the hard work of our dedicated Board of Directors, committees and active members, our association was able to accomplish so much in 2023!
This year, we received $5,000 in sponsorships from Colorado Health Foundation to support LGBTQ+ communities through art therapy, all while partnering with local organizations and artists. Our community partners in 2023 included: Stars of Hope USA, artist Koko Bayer, Firehouse Art Center, St. Vrain Valley School District, Envision:You, Queer Asterisk*, O.A.S.O.S. Boulder County, Inside Out Youth Services and the M.O.S.A.I.C. at University of Colorado, Colorado Springs.
In addition, our association received $4,000 in sponsorships from Colorado Health Foundation and Boulder Arts Commission and $100 from Naropa University's Art Therapy Program to host our Annual Art Therapy Conference at the Dairy Arts Center! This conference allowed us to come together for a day of Collective Thriving through art therapy. Our presenters, included: Keynote Speaker Dr. Elizabeth Warson, Dr. Patricia Isis, Cindy Gordon, PhD, artist Heather Schulte, Anita Yeh & Brenda Hernandez, Kristeen Bentley, Karrie Hardin, Dakotah Acosta and Elaine Waterman, who all provided opportunities for art therapists, artists and the public at-large to gather to learn about the profession of art therapy and its benefits for our community members.
In 2023, we were able to determine a direction in advocacy efforts. With our sights set on 2024, we will pursue title protection for art therapists in Colorado! We need your continued efforts and support to host outreach events and to harness community support for title protection for art therapists. If you are passionate about the field of art therapy, consider joining the Board of Directors, serve as a committee member or volunteer with us. We need people like you to help us to engage, educate and unite through art therapy!
With gratitude,
Lara K. Rutledge
President, Colorado Art Therapy Association
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Art Therapist in the Spotlight | | |
Meet Kristel Phelps
MA, LPC, ATR
Kristel Phelps is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Registered Art Therapist at her private practice, Blank Canvas Art Therapy.
Blank Canvas Art Therapy offers telehealth art therapy and mental health counseling to adults in Colorado and oftentimes to those in more rural areas of the state with limited access to art therapy. She supports people through anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions and stress, as well as grief and loss.
Phelps says, “Blank Canvas Art Therapy is entirely online, and I have found, time and time again, how much clients can take away from an art therapy experience even if it is through a telehealth platform.”
Read more about her professional development and take a journey with her as she shares about her personal experiences as an art therapist.
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The Government Action Committee (GAC) is moving forward with pursuing title protection based on the results of the poll that was released in 2023. Thank you to everyone who responded! We are grateful for your commitment to advocacy efforts for art therapy in Colorado!
The GAC met with members at the Annual Colorado Art Therapy Association Conference on the topic of advocacy and updates. We are now working on determining a plan for 2024.
We recently met with the American Art Therapy Association and have confirmed their support in pursuing title protection in 2024. We are excited for the next steps and will continue to update you and share information with you as we go.
Nicole Nepote
LPC, ATR
Government Affairs Chair
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Colorado Art Therapy Association News | |
Art Therapy Awareness Grows through Community Connection
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Keynote Speaker, Dr. Elizabeth Warson, presents: Discovering Healing Pathways Community Outreach and Resiliency Building Nature-Based Expressive Arts Therapy. |
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On October 21, 2023, the Colorado Art Therapy Association hosted Collective Thriving: Community-Based Approaches to Healing through Art.
The conference focused on bringing together art therapists with the public at-large to collaborate with artists, art therapists and community organizations making a difference through art.
Through engaging, hands-on presentations by leading experts in art therapy, the arts and community-based work, we forged a path for community awareness around the benefits of art therapy and awakened potential for continued connection, collaboration with our community at-large.
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With over 80 people in attendance, a full-day lineup at a high end venue, Dairy Arts Center, provided a comfortable space for participants to engage in networking, create art together, hear presentations, panel discussions and more.
Not only did many who participated enjoy the experience, the Colorado Art Therapy Association was able to raise around $3,000 in ticket sales to go towards improving our local chapter.
With 2024 quickly approaching, we are beginning plans for another Annual Art Therapy Conference and want to hear from you! Do you have suggestions? Would you like to get more involved?
Email us: coarttherapyasociation@gmail.com
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Amanda Holst, LPCC, ATR-P, of restART Studio in Longmont, Colorado shares information about her community-based organization. | |
Artist, Heather Schulte, presents, Stitching the Situation, a community-based project to process the impacts of COVID-19. | |
American Art Therapy Association News | |
Technology & Art Therapy Virtual Conference | |
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A Message from American Art Therapy Association:
We are thrilled to finally announce our first-ever technology summit, Artful Connections: Technology, Art Therapy and Mental Health, to be held December 2, 2023!
Together, let’s explore how technology—from virtual sessions and virtual reality, to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and wearable tech—is transforming mental health care and the work art therapists do every day. Our presenters will address how they apply emerging technologies to their work and research as well as the ethical implications.
The event will be held live (not pre-recorded) with dynamic, engaging discussion and opportunities to network with art therapists, researchers, and mental health professionals from around the world.
Registration for this virtual summit is now open. Participants will have the option of earning up to 6 continuing education credits, and the summit agenda and speakers will be available on the summit website shortly.
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Stars of Hope Box of Hope
Grab your Stars of Hope Box of Hope kit for the holidays!
This kit has everything you need to create symbols of healing and support for communities in need.
Let's spread hope together!
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Cut + Paste Colorado
Sustainable, Interactive Art Event ✂️
Art as Therapy with an Art Therapist
Create (in) Community
Denver/Boulder🏔CO
#CUTPASTECOLORADO
COLLAGE POP UP
1ST SATURDAY
DECEMBER 2ND 1-3PM
BAKER LOCATION #HUCK ☕️ 🤎
@huckleberryroasters
277 N BROADWAY ST. DENVER
Collage materials and tools will be provided
(+bring whatever you’d like in addition)
Drop-In Style Art Hang
Come and go as you please!
Come by yourself and zone out.
Come by yourself and make friends.
Come with friends and make more friends.
No registration needed.
FREE!
If you’d like to donate to C+P, or connect with the art therapist and host
💌 @dakorazon
CREATE (IN) COMMUNITY
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Austin Zucchini-Fowler is a muralist aiming to spread gratitude across Denver, Colorado by highlighting different professions and people.
He works in a unique pointillism style mixing in spray paint and acrylic brush work.
His themed “Walls of Gratitude” is an ongoing body of work that has only developed from generous support from the community.
To see his murals visit his website for a map of his work.
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