There is a tapestry of diverse human experiences, created and held together with the common threads of understanding. So many of us during intensely stressful periods of our lives, feel alone with our problems, and if compounded by social isolation, this sense of uniqueness and aloneness increases. When we reach out to others, and as sharing and disclosures occur, there is comfort in knowing that others may have been effected by similar experiences.

The TATI and OATA community members gathered together for the first hybrid art hive at the beautiful new TATI location with the theme: Mending, Weaving and Repair.

Sharing information about the TATI Student Art Therapy Centre with news about current student groups in 2025.

Sharing reflections by OATA member Wanda Sawicki about the Heritage London Foundation Exhibit written and curated by Emmy Meredith on the history of Irene and Selwyn Dewdney and Art Therapy in London. The Opening on January 18th was very well attended, a full house!

New & Ongoing: Sharing Updates, News and Stories on the Connections Blog from the Ontario Art Therapy Association and its Members

Sharing eco-art and earth sculptures created in community on Monday September 30th for Truth and Reconciliation Day. Moments spent in reflection on this important day and in response to the natural materials.

Sharing in this post powerful poetry and artwork by Luke Gustafson created this year during his training at the Toronto Art Therapy Institute.

Sharing an engaging community project co-facilitated by Art Therapist Aldona Morrison. at Headwaters Health Care Centre in Orangeville for the month of November to honour National Grief and Bereavement Day and Children's Grief Awareness Day.

Sharing information about the TATI Student Art Therapy Centre with news about current student groups in December through January, and an invitation and link to participate in a Research Survey on the ecological crisis.

Sharing in this post a recent creativity afternoon to celebrate Seniors’ Month. The day included resident art displays and 5 interactive creativity stations.

Creatively Connecting to Life at ALL ages… Sharing resources, links rationale around aging and the arts!!! A huge thank you to Andrea, Erminia, Gilda, Hannah, Lisa, Marillyn, Meg and Susan for their beautiful reflections about the value of creativity as we age.

Sharing resources, links in relation to aging, creativity and the arts. This is an ongoing evolving list. Do you have something to add? Please reach out and share if you do!!

This post shares the origin story of the ‘Supportive Hands’ painting - an art therapy project with my wonderful LTC team in 2013 that later inspired and planted the seeds for the larger resident-focused community LTC Supportive Hands Mandala in 2015, and many other smaller ‘supportive hands’ projects in the years to follow.

This post shares words, quotes and my response signpost art that capture thoughts and reflections related to natural and urban studios (as I listened to these wonderful presenters from the World Art Therapy Conference: Pamela Whitaker, Carla van Laar, Kit Kline with host Carmen Oprea). I have woven in quotes to capture the intentions of some of the wonderful developing projects with links for further information and resources.

Happily sharing the World Art Therapy Conference information for 2024. Virtually engage with the art therapy world in rich art therapy learning and community connection for three weekends in February.

A post to acknowledge Remembrance Day on November 11th and Indigenous Veterans Day on November 8th. I am inviting us all to remember and reflect through an equity-informed lens as we honour our veterans, soldiers and all civilians who have lost their lives through war.

As we gear up for our first in-person Ontario Art Therapy Association event since the Pandemic began, the board members reflect on the benefits of membership and the need to keep our association active and flourishing in these transitional times.

The hand is our signature, our symbol and our legacy. It is easily accessible to use as creative inspiration and for personal mark-making. In this post I am sharing snapshots of nine of these supportive-hands projects that I have facilitated over the years in various long-term care and retirement settings.

Peer to Peer: The Nature of Well-Being.

Mark your calendars and see you there in person this year for continued professional development in art therapy with OATA’s Conference Retreat and AGM.

Sharing in this post the creative, co-teaching and co-learning eco-art therapy workshop collaboration with my dear friend and art therapy peer Susan for the Toronto Art Therapy Institute. Also wonderful to be re-connecting with Taylor as she develops the virtual Eco-Art Therapy workshop for TATI alongside us for later this year.

Sharing some professional development opportunities and resources for the 2nd half of 2023.

Sharing in this post my recent creative collaboration with my dear friend Heather at Amica Peel Village for Earth Day 2023. As an Eco-Artist and Art Therapist who works regularly with natural materials, I was excited to engage residents in a nature-based art activity. The afternoon included art displays and information tables and residents gathering in community to create earth sculptures to celebrate earth day.

…”I am and have always been a poet. I was a poet before I even knew I was. Poetry has enveloped me and invited me to see, explore and make meaning of the world. It has moved me closer to myself”.

Happily sharing the World Art Therapy Conference information for 2023. Virtually engage with the art therapy world in rich art therapy learning and community connection for three weekends in February.

Sharing Hannah Sherebrin’s story, Safe Space for Ukraine Refugees from the most recent issue of the Ontario Art Therapy Association’s Tapestry Newsletter and and update around developments since her project began. Hannah’s meaningful and much-needed work supporting refugees through art therapy initiatives is important to share.

Sharing my response sketches and reflective jottings from Day 2 of the Canadian Art Therapy Association’s 2022 Symposium Relationship & Reciprocity. Feeling such a sense of deep gratitude post this 7 hour immersive experience of stories and art in community with others, gently held and guided by indigenous facilitators | art therapy peers | heARTtivists.
Poster Image Credit: CATA-ACAT with Artwork: Earth Guardian by Jean E. Tait

Upcoming Bereavement Group: Together the participants will learn about the grieving process, develop strategies for coping, and explore feelings through artmaking. For more information or to register please email

Connecting through Sharing. Art Therapy Resources for Art Therapists.

“As an eco-conscious art therapist, I always want to be mindful of the impact I have on the Earth as an artist – and I’m sure you do too! I’d like to introduce you to two potential ways of respectfully processing your old pieces of artwork without contributing to the destruction of the natural world”. - Taylor

The Importance of Being Aware.

Mark your calendars and see you there in the virtual space for continued professional development in art therapy.