Sharing Cynthia’s Art Hive story from the most recent issue of the Ontario Art Therapy Association’s Tapestry.

CATA-ACAT: “Join us in three days of arts-based workshops this fall, exploring land-based practices and social justice in art therapy, with facilitators bringing a broad range of experiences in art therapy and a shared passion for individual and collective healing through the art.”

The experiential workshop brings together expressive art, meditation and mindful walking in an outdoor Labyrinth - a truly unique experience to clear the mind and experience creative flow in nature

It can be incredibly meaningful to take a pause to capture our state of being, and at times imperative to remind ourselves of who we are in a particular moment - connecting and reflecting upon the succint yet powerful words of “I Am”!!

Sharing with permission artwork and introduction to the poetic inquiry by Dr. Fyre Jean Graveline who was our keynote speaker at the 2021 Canadian Art Therapy Association’s Conference in November ‘Emergence’, and my response art to her powerful keynote presentation ‘When I Heard the Recent Horrific News’

“I created a Resource Handbook for my Major Project at TATI because it was a niche of research that inspired me, as I’m passionate about supporting the success of others in my profession”. - Ally

“This resource book is reflexive, and invites a curiosity in the reader: hopefully some of what you read here will encourage you to create your own invitations and explore new ways of being creative”. - Taylor

Sharing a listing of Stories, Story Tellers , Creators and Contributors to the AP Connections Blog.

At the beginning of the pandemic, I started a brief gratitude project using images. I have continued this gratitude practice daily, through writing and mindfulness in nature. I decided that it would be helpful to introduce a self-compassion and self-love practice into my daily life because I had noticed a significant change in my outlook while practicing gratitude.

Painting my daily experiences among the trees created meaning and purpose when life felt confusing, overwhelming, and uncertain. They supported me and helped light the way when the path forward was unclear - Tania

Sharing my reflections and eco-art creation to celebrate all of the recent art therapy graduates from the Toronto Art Therapy Institute.

Witnessing and capturing snapshots of seasonal garden or individual plant changes can connect us to ourselves and the cycles of life, nature and transformation…

“Set aside some time for connections with yourself and others through creativity and conversation at the Art Hive Pop-Up at Dufferin Grove Farmers' Market this summer Hope to see you there”.

Inspiration…. In this post offerings of spring… eco-art and garden florals enjoyed and shared.

JUNE 2022… Toronto Art Therapy Institute's online art therapy service is now open for self-referral!

TATI opened its online art therapy service in 2020 to offer affordable and accessible mental health services to the community during the pandemic - TATI

Buddha boards can be a creative tool to promote relaxation through the soothing motion of brush strokes and gentle repetition and mark making. They can be woven into mindfulness moments and grounding exercises in your home or studio space.

This creative prompt is about noticing the spring shadows of new and old growth in their interwoven and symbiotic relationship. Last year’s twigs and leaves nurturing the soil and protecting the tender emerging spring plants peaking out of their dark and quiet winter caves as part of this transformative season and cycle…

“This series of zines are created from our positions as racialized practitioners in the creative arts therapies. It comes from a process of putting together words and images that are meaningful to us, in conversations, poetry and collages. It is rooted in our experiences of accessing therapy or mental health support”.

Developing a Virtual Art Hive has been a passion project and goal since joining the Ontario Art Therapy Association Board in 2021 and I am so incredibly pleased to see it come into fruition in 2022. From training and connecting with others around the art hive model I could see the benefits of creating a community of practice where therapists supported therapists and engaged in meaningful creativity for personal self-care.

MAY 2022… “The Art Hive at the Toronto Art Therapy Institute is back for spring-summer art-making! An art hive is a community art studio and a welcoming place to talk, create, connect, share skills and build community”