Self-Discovery and Healing Through the Arts
New York Expressive Arts Explores the Process of Making Art
Expressive Arts gives people the opportunity to engage in and explore the process of art making in order to discover new ways of perceiving and responding to the world.
How Does Expressive Arts Work
According to Denie Whalen, the Director of New York Expressive Arts (NYEA), "Expressive Arts gives people the opportunity to get in touch with their uniqueness. It is a 'de-centering' experience that takes people out of their day-to-day life. It provides a framework for people to give in to the process, and come up with a different perspective, and step out of their drama."
Whalen says, "The arts have a way of changing the distance people have to the issues they are dealing with…it can bring them closer in to see the details, or help them take a step back to see the whole picture. It is an exploration…there is no pre-determined outcome in mind."
How are the Arts Used in Expressive Arts Practice
The sense of play, exploration and discovery are an essential part of Expressive Arts. Participants are free to play through the manipulation of the materials at hand whether paint, paper for collage, objects for sculpture or drums for music and movement.
"What we're after is the surprise…" Whalen says, "…the exploration of the person and the situation that is moment-specific. It is a low skill, high sensitivity endeavor. People do not have to be artists or consider themselves to be talented in the arts to participate, although some people come from the arts. Everyone has an artist self to be expanded and/or re-discovered."
How do People Benefit from Expressive Arts
Whalen believes being involved in the process of making art helps us "…to find our place in the world…to be part of a community without losing our unique voice…to be alive in this world in a peaceful, loving way."
She believes in these especially stressful times of financial crisis, war, economic disparity that the arts give us a chance to open new perspectives. Participating in the process of making art can be beneficial for many dealing with the stresses of daily life.
Parents and children making art together can open the lines of communication and be a platform for continued conversation between adult and child.
What Does New York Expressive Arts Offer
- New York Expressive Arts, located in Albany NY, offers monthly facilitated expressive painting classes as an introduction to the method of Expressive Arts on the second Wednesday of the month from 7:00PM - 9:30PM. This session is open to the community at a nominal fee.
- Expressive Arts Professional Training Program, in partnership with The College of Saint Rose, is a non-credit professional continuing education program that leads to a Certificate in Expressive Arts. This program is completed in 8 weekend sessions over one year, and is approved to provide CEUs by the National Board of Certified Mental Health Counselors.
- Other group programs are designed for specific use within such settings as education, hospitals, nursing homes, wellness programs, and recovery programs, either onsite or at the NYEA studio. Private sessions can also be arranged.
What is the Education and Training to Become an Expressive Arts Practitioner
Whalen began her Expressive Arts training in 1997 with Markus (Geoffrey) Alexander, founder of Glass Lake Studio in Albany NY. She then went on for an M.A. in Expressive Arts Therapy, a three-year summer program at the European Graduate School in Switzerland, and also completed a CAGS (Certificate of Graduate Studies) for post-graduate work at the European Graduate School.
Prior to her practice in Expressive Arts, Whalen's previous career was as a licensed Occupational Therapist in the state of New York. In her 20 year career in Occupational Therapy, the traditional crafts such as pottery and woodworking were part of the education and practice. She believes this previous career, as well as the nurturing and creative practice of being an avid gardener, mother and grandmother, have contributed to the new direction her life has taken with Expressive Arts.
Expressive Arts Professional Associations
New York Expressive Arts faculty includes members of the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (IEATA), and the studio is one of the International Network of Expressive Arts Therapy Training Centers and is affiliated with the European Graduate School.
Where is New York Expressive Arts
- New York Expressive Arts is located at: 4 Central Avenue - Albany, NY
- Mailing address and phone are: PO Box 3 - Feura Bush, NY 12067 - (518) 434-2412
Paints for Expressive Arts
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Drums for Music & Dance Expression
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Creating Community with Expressive Arts
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Manipulating Materials for Collage
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NYEA Director, Denie Whalen
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