Celebrating the TATI Community through Eco-Art.

“There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about.”

— Margaret J. Wheatley

Toronto Art Therapy Institute. Graduation 2022.

First off and most importantly CONGRATULATIONS to all the art therapy graduates from the last three years. I felt so honoured to be part of this online ceremony on June 13th. We continue to need joyful moments and milestones celebrations in these never ending pandemic times, so I am glad that the TATI community rallied to gather and collectively support each other in this virtual graduation space. Listening to the reflections and insights of the graduates as they shared their practicum experiences and major project successes made for a tremendously special evening.

Slide Image Credit: Toronto Art Therapy Institute Graduation Presentation

Connecting Circle to Honour the Graduates.

Creating eco-art for this important event filled me with a joy that goes beyond description. I was reminded of the reflective process we often use as Art Therapists to bring closure to collaborative work, where participants are asked what gifts they bring in and have shared within the group process, paired with what gifts they take away from the collaboration when they leave. In this spirit, my eco-art is my gift to share with the graduating community; 44 spokes representing each graduating student, fresh greenery symbolizing new journeys ahead, and the nest in the center representing nurturing self care, growth and evolution. The meditative process of creating this work simultaneously was a gift to myself, providing nourishment and a sense of deep satisfaction to witness the growth and success of each of the 44 students.

I deeply value all of the connections I have with students (and now graduates) and how I continue to learn with each new cohurt I teach and each new student I supervise. Through the longer time frame of connecting with students (in our clinical supervision sessions) I have been so privileged to witness the sharing of compassionate reflections and mindful considerations around client needs. I nurture students’ongoing passion and enthusiasm around creative problem solving, and facilitate the deeply rooted drive to develop into becoming the best practitioners they can be.

From that place of of gratitude and privilege, came my intentions for this latest connecting circle I share in this post…

“Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.”

— Helen Keller

“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.”

— Coretta Scott King

“If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

— African Proverb

A special thanks to Patricia Ki for her dedication to making this virtual graduation happen through organizing, hosting and involving us in the planning and virtual event. With grateful thanks and respects to Dr. Helene Burt and the Toronto Art Therapy Institute for navigating the unchartered pandemic waters while continuing to provide art therapy training for students during these incredibly challenging times.