safe haven artist's community

KEY CONCEPTS OF OPEN STUDIO ART THERAPY GROUPS

The energy of the group is derived from the act of creating

"...it is necessary to be real and active."

Belief that everyone can create art

People from all walks of life coming together

Avoid trap of taking oneself too seriously

Enjoy the process over the need for complex techniques

Only simple materials needed

Allow creation to develop in it's own way

Focus on becoming aware of your own response to the creative process

Majority of the time is spent using materials

"making art together breaks down barriers... between people, creating compassion and empathy."

"...viewing the struggles of one another through art causes shifts in perceptions"

When the person facilitating the group is also making art it communicates the shared willingness to take risks and explore

Intention of tapping into one's own inner source of creativity and wisdom

*quotes are from P. Allen's "Coyote Comes in from the Cold: The Evolution of the Open Studio Concept" (1995)