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Dear Creative Friend, This week our students explored through the arts who they would like to work with -
sometimes called an "ideal client". This made me (Tamara) think of you! When we write our newsletter each week, we think of you - our dear creative community member- and what you might need, and how we can offer you something that is meaningful, helpful, inspiring. Today, as summer kicks off (first weekend since school let out this week for us), I
started wondering about play. What are we going to do for fun this summer? Then I reflected on how expressive arts is an important form of play. It is a way to explore things that might otherwise be challenging, discover things while taking safe risks, and interact in ways that we do not predict but delight in. We learn so many things through creative exploration. We also reveal solutions, uncover possibilities, and heal. I often call our expressive arts work "deep play", which in essence it is.
If you are interested in reading more about deep play, here is a brief article by Diane Ackerman who wrote a book on the topic. Before cutting out some images for collage, I read an article from January's edition of National Geographic that stated, "the adult-play deficit is becoming a public health crisis". (Dingfelder, 2024) The article affirmed something I have known through
my experience - that play is essential to our survival and our work is vital. For me, expressive arts feels that way- like a survival tool that gives me so much more than a pretty picture or a sweet poem (although that happens sometimes too). It gives me a way to try things out, experiment, and learn without knowing what will happen next. It gives us a way
"to deal with uncertainty and surprise in a safe environment" (Dingfelder, 2024). There is a lot of research and writing around this topic that I will not go into fully here, but I offer the idea of play as an invitation to you. This is what happened for me...I got out some scraps of paper and art materials and played around for a little bit and
discovered that an accordion fold helps me feel like I am moving from one thing to another, here to there, then to now. I noticed when I painted in colors that the color wheel soothes me in a reassuring way. The colors say, "there is a natural order to these changes. All is well." In this transition from school year to summer, parenting an elementary school student turned middle school student, leaving a school as a parent that I started at as a teacher 20 years ago - I feel somehow playing with
the transitions in color and folding helped me honor it. I was just playing. It was fun! And I feel my body more relaxed, my mind a bit clearer, and my heart a little fuller. I actually love this little tiny book in a way that is hard to describe and playing with the art materials just made me feel better while also reflecting on something very important in my life. So, I invite you to get some art materials out and play around. See what happens and notice even the smallest of changes or shifts. Make it fun, allow it to be easy, and follow the thread of what pleases you.
It's part of why you are here - to play, learn, and grow. If you would like to share in the FB group we look forward to witnessing. If you are in the Sarasota area, come PLAY
with us on Friday during Open Studio and PLAYBACK Theatre with Olga Sanachina! It is going to be loads of meaningful
fun. We are so glad you are here, for reading our newsletters, and for inviting the power of this work to nourish your life. As you allow it to be a part of you, you also share it with the world. And the world
needs more of it - and you! We look forward to hearing from you, or to seeing you in the circle soon. Also, make sure to scroll down to see all upcoming events, our featured self-study
course, and information on our Certificate Training Program! Our next start date is in October. With gratitude, Tamara, Kathleen, and the Expressive Arts Florida
Team Dingfelder, S. (2024, January). We need play, seriously. National Geographic, 19–22. |
All Self-Study Courses contain detailed, yet approachable instructions, videos, and meditations facilitated by Kathleen & Tamara. The imagery and guidance from this work can assist
you, whether dipping your toes into expressive arts or seeking a deeper connection. *All courses come with lifetime access so you can refer back to them at any time! *No previous art experience is necessary! |
Discover a creative approach to cultivate self-compassion. Consult your own inner knowing as you move through a simple, nourishing experience that will include nature-witnessing, guided meditation, visual art, movement, sound, writing, as well as powerful forms of witnessing. Click here to learn more!
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Interested in several self-study courses? Our self-study bundle includes the following 4 courses at a discounted rate! Save 20% by purchasing all 4. |
Our Certificate Training Program in Intermodal Expressive Arts is IEATA (International Expressive Arts Therapy) compliant and provides you with the 200 training hours necessary to pursue professional registration in expressive arts. It
is a hybrid model and admissions are on a rolling basis. Want to apply but have some questions? Let us know. We'd love to connect with you! |
Not sure if you are ready to enroll in the entire program? Check out our introductory training program, Creative Wisdom!
This is an 8-week introductory training into the field of expressive arts and the pre-requisite for our Certificate Training Program. Click here to learn more!
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Tamara is accepting new clients in Florida seeking therapy services and support using expressive arts to heal and grow. Using her years of creative practice and a compassionate approach, she is able to help clients access their inner strengths and
create the change they most want in their lives. To inquire about services, you can go HERE,
call/text 941-444-9585 or email tknappcounseling@gmail.com ~Tamara and Kathleen Tamara Teeter Knapp MA, Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern,
REACE® Kathleen
Horne MA, LMHC(S), REACE®, REAT® www.expressiveartsflorida.com |
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