Day 6 | 12/30/2009

This morning, the atmosphere at the Islandia based site, where we run our art therapy group with mentally impaired or disabled adults, was much more low key than our regular 12:30 sessions have been. Our group was no more than five clients and the room was more or less empty except for the art therapy group. The clients that were involved were much more engaged and focused - I sensed a higher level of relaxation - I also felt more relaxed. The lack of background noise and distractions seemed highly beneficial to the progress and participation of the group members in the art therapy session. The afternoon group, which is larger would really benefit from a private space where only art therapy was going on!

We spent our session closing the door on 2009, by celebrating the work that the clients had created in art therapy during their time with the art therapist, Lauren Fabrizio. We reviewed work that took place over a time span of approximately 4 months. Many of the clients had a great deal of work, and found it very exciting to display and review their work.

The clients were able to point to their favorite piece(s) and decide what processes they enjoyed working with the most. Sometimes, and mostly regarding figurative art, the clients chose favorite pieces and remembered what the theme/assignment was. There as however, no discussion as to how a certain artwork made each client feel - what emotions it derived or what thoughts the artist was projecting consciously/unconsciously. This makes me wonder if the clients themselves are aware of the weight of their artistic expression> Do they realize even that they are expressing an emotion, or telling us something about themselves through their art work? Then I get to thinking - does that matter? Is it important that they gain something through the art making process - BUT cant they can they gain something [other than confidence, self worth, purpose and developed technique] without discussion - without that recognition?

Further reflections and questions:

How can we get the clients (both mentally impaired and autistic - each having an extremely difficult time verbally expressing their wants, needs and feelings) to verbally discuss the meaning... that they may not see themselves... of their art?
- Should we expect the to verbalize the feeling projected through their art work?
- Do we need them to verbalize the feeling projected through their art work?
- How different are the answers to theses questions across different populations (ie more developed or verbal populations)
- Should the discussion of a client's art work and emotional status take place within the group - allowing other clients to comment on meanings, as well as the therapist or should the therapist and specific client discuss the meaning of the work privately?

In the end - does it do the client any good if the therapist is able to read into the artwork - but the client is not mentally capable of discussing it?

Phhheeewww - my mind is buzzing!

Art-ing about it :)