Alison Kilpo: A Passion for Art Therapy

by Esther Piszczek

Alison Kilpo loves her job. As an art therapist and the current art junction coordinator at Udac, Inc., she embraces the opportunity to be creative and help others create.

“What I love about my job are the small daily joys. I get excited to come to work. I am grateful to be here and working with the artists. I believe if you have a passion and are willing to go through the ups and downs to work in that passion, it brings you joy.”

Art Junction

Udac, Inc. located at 500 E. 10th Street, opened in 1969 and provides day program vocational training, in-house and community job placement, fitness, art exploration, and life skills training for those experiencing physical and intellectual disabilities. The Art Junction Program began in 2000 and currently serves approximately 72 artists weekly through art wellness, open studio, individual sessions and sessions in vocational rooms.

“In Art Junction, we explore ourselves through creativity, through experimentation and therapeutically to realize self-expression and growth through art. Open studio time is a healthy outlet to gain insight into things going on in our lives, de-stressing, or simply having fun through art,” explains Alison.

Open Studio

Alison, who grew up in Duluth, graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Superior (UWS) with a Masters in Art Therapy in December 2013. She spent three semesters as an Art Junction intern before accepting the Art Junction coordinator position, almost two years ago.

“My goal was to be creative every day or help others be creative and I get to do both,” relates Alison.

Shortly after becoming Art Junction coordinator, Alison added open studio time to the program’s activities. Twice weekly, Alison invites Udac artists to work on creative projects of their choosing.

“I recognized a decreased level of self-expression when leading planned art activities. I wanted to give artists the opportunity to self-express however they wanted. Art Junction provides the opportunity to create just like any other artist in the community, this is their studio space.”

Artists work in a variety of media including acrylic, watercolor, and mixed media, as well as jewelry making, collage, and ceramics.

“The joy that I see when someone has the opportunity to be creative is joyful for me. Their smiles and enthusiasm are what I love the most. Participation in Art Junction is a choice, so everyone who is there wants to be there making art,” says Alison.

Community Involvement

Udac artists are active in the community. Their artwork is permanently on display at Residential Services Inc. in Piedmont and decorates Udac’s hall-

Continued on page 28 ways. Home décor, tote bags, earrings, necklaces, and magnets made and decorated by Udac artists using recycled materials are sold at the Treasures of the Earth, Green Art Fair held each March by WendyUpNorth.

In the fall, Art Junction and

CHOICE, unlimited, a non-profit that assists individuals with disabilities, create a visual art show that hangs in the Zeitgeist Arts Atrium. Artists from both non-profits contribute individual and collaborative artwork that augments the Sprout Film Festival.

The festival showcases films created by or starring persons with developmental disabilities to raise awareness and celebrate differences. Arc Northland, also a non-profit that assists those with disabilities, brought the festival to Duluth for the past four years.

A Post Graduate Goal

The time Alison spends interacting with Udac artists moves her toward her post education goal of becoming a Registered Art Therapist (ATR), a professional credential granted by the Art Therapy Credentials Board. Alison has 1070 contact hours logged toward her 1500 hour requirement. Alison’s UWS professor Gloria Eslinger and her employer supervise her progress.

“I’m fortunate in that my job allows me to be involved in art and the creative process. I’m able to log hours consistently because my job requires interaction every day,” explains Alison.

However, neither the ATR credential, nor her art therapy degree is required for her position at Udac. “Art therapy is a hard field to get a job. I’m fortunate to bring it into my work here. It’s such a new field, there is a lot of potential yet to be explored with art therapy,” notes Alison.

Interns Bring New Ideas

Alison also supervises three interns who are studying art therapy at UWS.

“It’s really great having the interns because they help out one-on-one. They provide fresh, new ideas and insights and get along really well with the artists. Their presence brings a new energy to the group.”

When the interns need experience leading groups, they switch roles with Alison.

“When I step back and become an observer, I learn a different way to work with someone. It’s insightful for me to step back and observe instead of lead,” reflects Alison. D

For more information on Udac’s Art Junction program, other services, or to make a donation, visit udac.org or facebook.com/UdacDuluth.

Annie Lepper

Ah,the joys of spring! After a season being cooped up indoors, we can take time to refresh our living spaces with the tradition of annual decluttering and deep cleaning. Whether you love it or loathe it, you must admit there is something satisfying when the job’s all done.