SAIC Betty Rymer Gallery Presents
The Art of Connection, May 13–27
May 13 -- The Art of Connection showcases artwork by students graduating from the Master of Arts in Art Therapy program at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and the people they work with at their internship sites.
As defined by the American Art Therapy Association, “art therapy is the therapeutic use of art making, within a professional relationship, by people who experience illness, trauma, or challenges in living, and by people who seek personal development. Through creating art and reflecting on the art products and processes, people can increase awareness of self and others; cope with symptoms, stress, and traumatic experiences; enhance cognitive abilities; and enjoy the life-affirming pleasures in making art.”
The diversity of artwork on display in The Art of Connection reflects the wide range of people, places, and approaches encompassed by art therapy. As a curricular requirement of the program, each art therapy graduate student works at an internship site where the power of art making is used to help people communicate their stories. Whether the work produced provides a respite from an emotional storm, or depicts an image directly from it, the common theme that links together each of the artists represented here is the belief in growth through expression, which is fostered within a safe and supportive environment, and is also aimed at integrating internal and external experiences. Typically, artwork created in a therapeutic setting is confidential. However, the artists represented in this exhibition chose to share their work with an audience as a means of building understanding and healing.
Art Therapy students participating in The Art of Connection include:
Cate Barrington-Ward, Nicole Teresa Brown, Sophie Ann Canadé, Amy Cronk, Sofia Daneshyar, Theresa Reardon Dewey, Alberto Ramón Gutiérrez, Rachel Harrison, Caroline Heller, Katharine Houpt, Anikka Knick, Ling Cheun Bianca Lee, Alisha EJ Monypenny, Megan Morrison, Mónica Beatriz Guzmán Pérez, Sangeetha Ravichandran, Brittlyn Riley, Callie Rimmel, Emerald Smith, Mandy Kay Sproul, Annie Tabachnick, Tarah Thommes, Jovana Torres.
Participating locations for art therapy internships include: Apna Ghar, Brickton Art Center, Changing Worlds, Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center, C4 Community Counseling Center of Chicago at Broadway and North locations, CJE SeniorLife Adult Day Service, Glenkirk, Haymarket, Henry Booth House, Hephzibeh Children’s Association, Hospice and Palliative Care of Northeastern Illinois, Lieberman Center for Health & Rehabilitation, Loretto Hospital, Lutherbrook Child and Adolescent Center, Rainbow Hospice, Residential Treatment Facility, Rice Child + Family Center, Saint Anthony Hospital, Women’s Residential Services of Lake County, Young Expressions at Marillac Social Center.
The Art of Connection
May 13 – 27
Public reception: Friday May 13, 7- 8.30 pm
Betty Rymer Gallery
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
280 S. Columbus Drive
Chicago, IL 60603
312.443.3703
saic-exhibitions@saic.edu
www.saic.edu/exhibitions
Gallery hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 11am–6pm, and by appointment
Free admission
For more information on Art Therapy at School of the Art Institute of Chicago, visit www.saic.edu/arttherapy
About the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC)
A leader in educating artists and designers for 141 years, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago offers undergraduate and graduate programs to nearly 2,800 students from around the world. In addition to the time-honored study of painting, sculpture, printmaking, and design, SAIC’s studio programs embrace film and new media, electronic and sound arts, and creative writing. To complement its studio programs, SAIC offers academic degrees in disciplines from art history to arts administration, visual and critical studies to historic preservation. Located in the heart of Chicago, the School promotes contemporary discourse about art and design through venues such as the Gene Siskel Film Center, Video Data Bank, Betty Rymer Gallery, Sullivan Galleries, the Division of Continuing Studies, and in conjunction with the Poetry Center.
