2015 Spring Art Therapy Workshop: Dr Micheal Franklin Recap
Dr. Dave Gussak, Chair of the Department of Art Education, Dr. Michael Franklin, and Chelsea Harris, President of the FSU ATA student organization
The Art Therapy program in coordination with FSU’s Art Therapy Association (ATA) hosted their annual spring workshop on February 21st. This year’s guest lecturer was Dr. Micheal Franklin, coordinator of Art Therapy Program in Transpersonal Counseling Psychotherapy at Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. Dr. Franklin’s work is firmly grounded in transpersonal theory which emphasizes mindfulness and meditation as additives to therapeutic practice.
Over 50 people were in attendance for the workshop that consisted of a lecture in the morning and an art-based portion in the afternoon. Breakfast and lunch were provided for the attendees. Participants included current and prospective art therapy students as well as faculty members, social work students, and other members of the community. Those who attended the lecture received a fascinating overview of transpersonal psychology and of Dr.Franklin’s own work within the field. The three-hour lecture spanned a wide variety of topics including Dr. Franklin’s work in India and his personal experience with cancer and healing through art.
The afternoon portion of the workshop provided attendees with a hands-on experience with transpersonal art therapy using clay as the medium. Participants initially collaborated in pairs to create a bridge spanning across the table. Dr. Franklin encouraged participants to be mindful and receptive to any images that arose during the process. The paired participants then split their creation and worked alone with their half of the clay, creating a representation of the images that arose during collaboration.
The workshop ended with a group discussion during which participants were given the opportunity to ask Dr. Franklin questions about his lecture and the art experience. After several people contributed to the engaging discussion, Dr. Franklin thanked all who attended and the workshop was closed.
Students working on their workshop projects.
We wish to thank Dr. Franklin for leading this workshop and providing insight into transpersonal art therapy.
To learn more about Dr. Franklin’s work, visit artisyoga.com
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Upcoming Events
March 27, 2015
NAEA Alumni and Friends Reception honoring the career of Dr. Tom Anderson.
April 26, 2015
AAM Alumni and Friends Reception
July 10, 2015
AATA Alumni and Friends Reception