This past weekend I launched a project I have been wanting to do ever since the previous AH:LE Caregivers (Artist/Humankind: Location/Earth) project a few years back. The Gender Expression Creative Summit is an opportunity for individuals to come together, make art, learn from each other, gain support...and so much more. Participants will explore the concept of roles in life that may have guided individual behaviors, rights and obligations through the social experience of social stature, community and expectations of others. ​ 

Anyone age 14 and older may apply to become a participant. The deadline is March 20th and the application can be accessed HERE. During the summit 25 individuals will embark upon the process exploring their own gender expression, while making art in our supported safe community space at the 100th Monkey Studio. Art created throughout the summit will become the traveling AH:LE Gender Summit Exhibition the show that will encompass the PROCESS of the amazing humans who participate. The goal of the summit and the ongoing show focuses to increase awareness and acceptance of all gender expressions, regardless of historical patterns of behavior, oppression and opposition. There is NO fee for participants. All materials are supplied in our open studio setting.

For questions, more details or to fill out the short application to participate visit our site HERE

This week I explored the idea of Halotherapy. I am still researching. More to come! 
I also included an art journal prompt around light, a link to my most recent podcast with Mary Andrus and the link to a recent interview with Hillary Clinton by Laura Regensdorf. 
Enjoy!
​CLICK HERE FOR NEWSLETTER

Recently I got to interview Mary Andrus in her office at Marylhurst University. We talked about so many topics, from relocating to Portland, Oregon from Chicago...to social action art therapy, state licensure, politics, encaustic painting, working in the field of art therapy and so much more! 

Personally, I can not be more happy for my alma mater. I graduated from Marylhurst University back in 1999 with my Master's in Art Therapy. The program has strong foundations and now is evolving into a new era along with the dynamic field I am lucky to work in. I have also been teaching out there once a week adjunct in the Counseling and Creative Therapies (CCT) program and being back on campus on a weekly basis is truly a delight. Mary has moved to Oregon, but also still has an open studio in Chicago. Recently, she went back to Chicago to her open studio, Art Therapy Studio Chicago, Ltd., to participate in some social action art therapy doing community work. Check out the video below to see what they did. For more details on our talk listen to our podcast HERE (links below).

Marylhurst University is a jem, nestled in between West Linn and Lake Oswego. It is packed with trees, crows and deer, a wonderful place to take a walk between classes. At the beginning of the school year the art therapy program moved from a distant building to Mayer, to the bustling art building. It felt a natural fit for art therapy department. The first time I walked into the building since the move was last summer and my excitement grew as Mary toured me around explaining the new layout and plans for the department. Congratulations and thank you Mary Andrus for guiding art therapy students in Oregon into the new world! 

Links from the podcast!
Art Therapy Studio Chicago, Ltd.
Marylhurst University's Counseling and Creative Therapies Program
Marylhurst University's CCT's BLOG
​Marylhurst University's First Tuesday Open Studio Sessions