"Trauma and Transformation: The Alchemy of Art Therapy"
2003-12-19 until 2004-01-24
Cultural Arts Council Gallery
Santa Rosa, CA, USA United States of America

Over 60 works of art in various media by registered art therapists, clients of art therapists and students in art therapy programs are on display at the Arts Council's Gallery from December 19 through January 20. This first exhibit collaboration between the Arts Council and the Center for the Creative Arts Therapies provides an opportunity to experience art created on a very intimate level by people using artistic expression and creation as healing therapy to work through or recover from traumatic events in their lives.

First developed in the 1960s, Creative Arts Therapies -- the use of visual art, dance, drama, music and poetry -- has matured into an effective therapy for trauma survivors, victims of abuse, violence, accidents, illness or developmental trauma. It has become a specialty in the field of mental health services and, because of its non-verbal nature, it is one of the more effective therapies for youth and children in trauma recovery.

The 42 artists whose work is displayed in this exhibit live, work or study in the North Bay. Their works have been brought together by the Arts Council and the Center for the Creative Arts Therapies, a Santa Rosa-based organization that has been training art therapists since 1989 through an adjunct relationship with Sonoma State University's Masters in Psychology program. The non-profit organization also promotes awareness of arts therapies, and is in the early stages of developing a no- and low-fee community clinic to provide arts therapies services to Sonoma County, with an emphasis on at-risk children and youth. The exhibits curator is Kaylin Noblin, a registered art therapist.

Art occurs through a creative process that can be described as an altered state. Through the creative experience, the art maker can reenter, remember, reimagine and heal traumatic wounds to body, soul and spirit. Collectively the works depict the universal, transpersonal nature of the healing journey.

The Cultural Arts Council Gallery at 529 5th Street in downtown Santa Rosa, California is free to the public. Gallery hours are Monday through Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. The gallery: o promotes artistic enrichment, creative expression, and cultural heritage in Sonoma County o showcases the work of Sonoma County artists along with local art organizations, galleries, educational institutions and community groups , docent tours, gallery guides The CACSC is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and supporting the visual, performing and literary arts within Sonoma County. In partnership with the California Arts Council and the County of Sonoma since 1983, the organization coordinates arts information, programs, services, and technical assistance countywide. For more information, visit http://www.cacsc.org or call (707) 579-2787.

Related Links:

Indepth Arts Resources for the State of California

Other Important Exhibitions in California