So, here's what it was like at my first conference:
I walked into the conference opening session at around 8:30am and could not believe that everyone in the room was an art therapist- I believe someone estimated 800 art therapists in one room! How exhilarating to know that the field is thriving.
I then listened to several well known speakers (Cathy Malchiodi, Michael Franklin, Holly Calligan) talk about the meaning of selfless service. Michael spoke beautifully about service describing it as the consciousness of attending to and offering. He commented that the meaning of therapy is healing and reminded us to put the client first by asking, "For whom do we really work?" He introduced the word seva, selfless service. At the end Michael invited us to create "prayer flags" for an alter for prayer and meditation. He invited people to attend meditation at 7am in the mornings. The alter was a touching sight which reflected a lot of feelings about September 11th.
I then heard a presentation on neuropsychology called Art Therapy Mind-Body Landscapes by Cathy Malchiodi, Noah Hass-Cohen, and Shirley Riley. Noah Hass-Cohen spoke about the brain and neuropsychology (I tended to wander and get lost during this complex subject), Shirley showed art images as she discussed body memory and brain memory. She was a spunky, fun speaker that brought brief case examples. The images tied into the neuropsych focus of integrating both hemispheres of the brain as well as accessing the right brain through non-verbal activities such as art-making. Cathy addressed neuropsychology in relation to trauma and sensory memory. She gave an overview of how art can assist in trauma recovery.
At this point, after hearing all that neuropsych, my brain went dead. I managed to find lunch and caught up with some classmates. I actually snuck away from the conference because it was too much stimulus for my brain to handle (not to mention needing to re-energize away from everybody since I am more introverted than extroverted)
At 2:50 I attended the Quilts presentation by Constance Hunt. I learned a lot about the different types of quilts and uses in society throughout the ages. Constance researched 8 types of quilts relating to important life events such as freedom, engagement,and mourning quilts. I learned neat little tidbits like the oldest quilt dates to 3400 BC. Although I knew nothing about quilts, I came out with a respect for such a time-honored tradition. I snuck out a few minutes early in order to catch one of the best presentations I have heard.
Bruce Moon presented Howlin' At the Moon: Poetry and Images of Transition. It included his own music, his art, spoken word and poetic recitation about his insight into his struggles with his art and personal life as well as a case presentation. It was nothing less than beautiful. I bought a tape of this presentation as well as one of his books which he signed.
The last presentation I attended was on how "normal" people draw (meaning not currently in treatment for an illness) presented by my professor Anne Mills and her co-presenter Barry Cohen. It was a casual presentation with audience participation and some laughs after the long day. It was also quite interesting having a baseline for comparison with client art. Some of the artwork could have been mistaken for client art, which helps to remind me not to jump to conclusions based on any one picture. (Typically people draw at a 12 year old level since many do not continue practicing or honing their art skills so the images could be a reflection of lack of skill and not ill health.) It is so rare that art therapists take a look at how "normal" people's drawings look. It was a unique presentation.