Week of October 12

I just read all the blogs. I commented on many of them. I also have alerted our COE technology department about the problem with not being able to leave comments. There were one or two blogs that did not seem to allow me to leave a comment.  Please continue to monitor this yourselves, and let’s hope our technology department (or maybe one of you!) will find the problem and the solution soon.

I think you can all read each other’s blogs, though, right? (if you join you peers’ blogs).

Aside from the problems I am very excited about the content and the experiences you are having. You are raising very thoughtful , (and not easy) questions.

One point, about being a graduate student and being busy –maybe too busy to be reflective about all your many experiences-I wanted to address. It is a common problem among WSU graduate students. Actually, your instructor is a great resource because she has expertise in helping people find balance. I know she has shared some of her work with you. Finding balance is related to reflection in the sense that we all need the time to step back from studies and tasks to allow these learning opportunities to simmer and cook….in order for connections to be made, and in order to be creative.  Last spring we had Gail Straub come to campus to teach a one credit class. Gail Straub has two books on the subject: The Rhythm of Compassion and Circle of Compassion-about the cycle of giving care to others, but finding one’s rhythm and knowing when it is time to step back from care of others to nurture oneself.  

Another related component that came up in the blogs I read, is about art making. When is there time for that?!  All of you will find your own answsers, I know. Perhaps you are in the midst of your own performance artwork practicing the art of listening to others and responding  in artful ways (see Cathy Moon’s Studio  Art Therapy for inspiration!) Perhaps you can take some time to doodle or putz (sp?) or meander with some art media in preparation for your reflective art assignment that comes at the end of the service-learning term, and let that evolve. Maybe the art making and reflection can occur simultaneously.

There are some good examples of learning from others, from the service recipients, and actually this in a way is an example of balance and rhythm. You “give” and you “receive” and so on. And some good examples of being open to what is needed on a service-learning site, and offering what talents and skills you have to the site. Here’s a question: How do you suppose service-learning is different from an art therapy internship?

Last, I am very impressed with and happy that you are researching the areas you encounter  and want to know more about at your service-learning sites. Please share in class!

Noel Night

This information is preliminary, and I will update as the semester goes along.  I learned today that ArtsCorpsDetroit will have 4 tables at Noel Night (Dec. 3, 5:00-9:00 in the Community Arts Building) that community partners  (i.e. those agencies on the list of Service-Learning sites distributed at the beginning of the semester) can use for their constituents to sell their art, or to distribute brochures about the agencies themselves. I will be  informing the agencies about the tables. I thought I would let you know in the event that the agencies are interested in having a place to sell their clients'/participants' art, you might want to think about whether there is any way you can help facilitate this. I thought Art & Soul or Mariners Inn might be interested, for example, since they have had art sales in the past. Just a thought!

Service-learning

How interesting the blogs are starting to become. Already a number of you have described your initial contacts with some service-learning sites. There are  a variety of settings, such that students are working with people who are homeless, with children and adults,  and with people who are in recovery from substance abuse, and more. Two additional sites (due to where students live) are Spectrum Health (Magdeline will tell you about that, and Ella Sharp Museum (Kemara's site) and the WSU Early Childhood Center (Chia-I 's site). It is very interesting to think of the variety of settings, and then to be able to answer "what is art therapy?" (since the answer seems to vary depending on setting and population). But  what do these settings have in common? Can you describe the essence of art therapy  in a sentence or two (considering the breadth of its application?)

It is interesting to hear about your initial impressions and I appreciate those of you who examined your preconceptions or biases, perhaps. The blogs will be a good record to see how your impressions may change.

If you are not at a site that will allow you to work hands on with people,  you may consider adding another location, if you desire to work directly with people. If you are involved with the planning of the international conference coming to Detroit and sponsored by Children's Hospital, that is important work too. You can ask yourself what you are doing that will contribute ultimately to patient care. It seems like we are off to a good start. Students will be starting at PuppetArt soon too! Good job!