Fall 2013 CATCH Club Newsletter

Creative Arts Therapy at Hofstra

The CATCH Review Fall 2013

A Letter from the President...

Dear Students, Faculty, and Community Members, As the President of the Creative Arts Therapy Club at Hofstra (CATCH), I am responsible for being the liason between Dr. Abuhoff, our faculty advisor, and overseeing the activities of the entire student board. The board’s responsibilities include organizing, promoting, and running programs that help spread awarness to the field of art therapy. This fall semester was truely a success in every sense of the word. Every semester, the CATCH Board (myself and nine other students) try to put together at least four events in which not only the students and faculty can be involved with, but members of the community as well.

The welcome back luncheon, which was our first event of the semester, allowed new and returning students, as well as faculty to come to meet each other, mingle, and enjoy a nice lunch. At every event that CATCH holds, we try to incorporate some type of art experiential or activity, to engage the attendees. At this luncheon, attendees were able to create a card with some type of hope or wish for the semester for another individual. They would leave their card, and would pick up one that someone else made.

For the 9th Annual CATCH Student Run Art Show, students, faculty and community members submitted up to 50 pieces of artwork to be displayed in the show. Thanks to the donations from some local restaurants, organizations, and volunteers, many attendees walked away with some wonderful raffle prizes. Attendees enjoyed viewing the art, creating CATCH beaded keychains, listening to some light music and just enjoying the experience.

Each semester, CATCH tries to bring in a guest lecturer to discuss or teach about a specific topic that can be related to art therapy. This semester, we were fortunate enough to have Rachel Katz, and origami expert, come to Hofstra, to hold an origami workshop. Attendees were taught how to create many different things by just folding paper in different ways which was presented by Ms. Katz in a playful, story-filled manner. A fun time was had by all.

Finally, to help send off our December graduates, we held an end of the semester lunch where students were able to unwind as the semester ended.

If you are interested in volunteering for any events or being on the CATCH Board, please feel free to send me an email at jfink4@pride.hofstra.edu or Dr. Abuhoff at cprdle@ hofstra.edu. We have many fun events that are in the works for the Spring semester...we hope to see you there!

Sincerely, Jana Fink 2nd Year Creative Arts Therapy Student CATCH Club President SAVE THE DATE! AATA’s 45th Annual Conference San Antonio, Texas | July 9-13, 2014

CATCH Newsletter: Brought to you by the Creative Arts Therapy Club at Hofstra

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The CATCH Review The CATCH 9th Annual Art Show By: Rachel Weiss 2nd Year Creative Arts Therapy Student CATCH Club Vice President

On Sunday November 23rd, 2013, the Graduate Club at Hofstra University’s Creative Arts Therapy Program held their annual CATCH Art Show. Professors, students, friends and other attendees were treated to a day of art, music, food, and raffles that were generously sponsored by local businesses and organizations.

There were a variety of artwork showcased in this student-run gallery, including Master’s candidates in the Creative Arts Therapy Program, as well as many others including faculty, alumni, and community members. The lobby of our very own Hagedorn Hall was transformed from a cafeteria setting into an art exhibition, with easels holding paintings, photographs hanging on the walls, prints, sculptures, and more!

Starting at 2pm on Sunday, Hagedorn Hall was filled with soft music, played by two student musicians from Hofstra Richard Blake and Brittney Sanders, and the sounds of arriving attendees. Prospective students were given the chance to learn more about the Art Therapy program at Hofstra, with the chance of meeting both students and professors. Others milled about the room, and could be heard speaking about the various pieces of art, as they treated themselves to the light refreshments provided. On the side of the room stood raffle prizes, with donations from various sponsors including Boss of Carle Place, Seasons 52, Havana Central, Shake Shack, and California Pizza Kitchen, as well as a food basket filled with healthy goodies from Trader Joes. Many of the artists in the room, however, had their eye on the raffle prize of art supplies, which included brushes, paints, paper, and more.

There was a tangible sense of pride, a feeling that was both simultaneously very special and empowering, in the knowledge that all of the art that filled the hall was a collaboration of Hofstra student and professor created work, as well as that of community members! Before leaving, attendees were encouraged to create their own CATCH key chains, to serve as a take-home souvenir of the event.

Students Tracy Engel (left), Laruren Clark (middle) and Chia-Ling (Jamie) Kao (right), next to their submitted artwork.

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What is the Creative Arts Therapy Club at Hofstra?

By: Jacquelyn Konkowski 1st Year Creative Arts Therapy Student CATCH Club Event Planner “What are you in school for?” They ask.

“Creative Art Therapy Master’s Program” I say.

“Oh, what is that? Are you an artist?” They reply Actually, to be honest I don’t consider myself an artist. Far from it. A creative individual striving to make a positive difference in someone’s life with the use of art, is more like it. As a passionate future art therapist, I feel compelled to continue our conversation by explaining what art therapy truly is.

Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation?

Art as a means of expression and therapeutic change may be new for some people.

Personally, I was unaware of such a field until life experiences brought me to it. Creative art therapy has become increasingly popular over the years, impacting many populations but there still is and always will be room for advancement.

That is where we come in…

The Creative Art Therapy Club at Hofstra (CATCH) is a student based club designed to enhance the students’ experience and increase awareness to the community. It is our opportunity to make people mindful of the many benefits and objectives that using art as therapy has on individuals.

I have never felt so much pride being involved in a group or club as I have this past year.

The sense of accomplishment you gain by planning events that not only fulfill you as an individual but fellow students, faculty and the community is indescribable. It is a great opportunity to gain strong friendships, increase networking opportunities and capabilities and obtain valuable resources significant to this future career. Planning events and witnessing the outcome helps you grow as a student and professional.

The many events held throughout the year were not only educational but enjoyable. Being a part of something you are already very passionate about increases your motivation to strive for more. I look forward to the upcoming semesters and our continued efforts as event planners of the CATCH board. We are always looking for helping hands, unique ideas, and shining students like you, to join us.

Throughout this newsletter you will discover the many wonderful events and programs that took place throughout the 2013 school year and I hope you take advantage of all the future ones to come. On behalf of the board members, thank you for your support and we hope you take advantage of the many wonderful benefits that are in store for you.

Hofstra’s Creative Art Therapy Program is not just a school, it is a family.

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The CATCH Review A Day of Origami with Rachel Katz By: Lauren Clark 2nd Year Creative Arts Therapy Student CATCH Club Treasurer

The Fall 2013 semester was an eventful and exciting time for the Creative Arts Therapy program as the CATCH club hosted several social events that helped to support the CAT program at Hofstra. The Origami Workshop, held on December 8th at Hagedorn was taught by Rachel Katz, an experienced Origami enthusiast and teacher. Students, family members, friends of Hofstra, alum and faculty were in attendance for this event. The CATCH club provided refreshments such as coffee and donuts—perfect for a cold afternoon. The workshop was educational as it introduced a therapeutic art modality for art therapists to utilize during therapeutic sessions.

It was also taught in a manner that made it easy for almost all ages to follow and learn.

As a child, I taught myself basic Origami by checking out books from the library and following the pictures with illustrated steps. It was definitely one way of learning the art form but after experiencing the teaching methods of Ms. Katz, I can attest to her charismatic skill in teaching Origami through her skillful storytell-

ing. Each part of the story was relevant to the fold and made learning the sequence of folds easy, memorable and fun. This method was much more interactive and filled me with new creative energy just through the use of a new technique. The workshop began with the introduction of materials to use in Origami. Ms. Katz gave us different kinds of paper to experiment with, showing us that almost any kind of paper can be used, and making the art of Origami more accessible to those who can’t buy the more expensive paper that is typically used . We were taught basic folds through children’s stories, which built a foundation for learning more intricate and difficult folds. We learned how to make a heart, a cup (that actually held water!), a basket, a rose, a butterfly, a mouse, a boat, a box and my personal favorite, a “magic” star. We were able to learn and make all of these amazing and magical objects by simply folding pieces of paper.

Origami is an art form in which scissors and glue are unnecessary. In my personal experience of this workshop, it was an experience of mind, hand and eye melding. I was completely focused on the task and as the simple and ordinary piece of paper began to transform before my eyes, I was overcome with delight and wonderment. There is a symbolic metaphor in the art of Origami. There’s something about transforming the ordinary into something a Students Jana Fink (right), Jacquelyn Konkowski (middle), and Jackie’s Mother Vicki, show off their origami masterpieces

The CATCH Review

little bit extra-ordinary. It feels like witnessing a magic trick as something transforms from old to new. The best part is that it is not a trick at all but something that is available to almost anyone.

I have attended many CATCH club events over the last year and a half. The annual Fall Art Show and the Origami workshop are among my favorite events. It was not only wonderfully fun but also provided us as art therapists with yet another therapeutic tool to offer our patients and clients. I believe in giving people accessible methods of selfcalming and relaxation in times of stress and anxiety—sensations that many of us can say we’ve experienced. Origami is one of those tools, easy, methodical and focus-centered. It is a beautiful art that comes across as magical and yet is tangible and serves as evidence that a transformation has indeed taken place.

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Student Joan Addabbo and her friend, work instensly on their origami projects

Students Chia-Ling (Jamie) Kao (left) and Lauren Clark (right) display their finished origami pieces Guest Lecturer Rachel Katz (left) assists a workshop attendee

For more information on Rachel Katz please vist: http://origamiwithrachelkatz.com

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The CATCH Review CATCH board members, Katharine Haggarty (left) and Jacquelyn Konkowski, promoting CATCH at the Mack Student Center

Student Jamie Michelman creates a CATCH keychain at the Mack Student Center to help bring awareness to the CATCH club

What is the CAT Program All About: Tabling at the Student Center By: Constance Larkins 1st Year Creative Arts Therapy Student CATCH Club Event Planner

In my search for a school offering a CAT Program, Hofstra University offered me what I was looking for with the dynamic range of its program; excellent professors, caring directors and various events throughout the school year supporting me as a student.

During fall 2013, my second semester, I was privileged to volunteer at the Student Center distributing flyers to perspective students as well as students who may have a totally different academic interest but want to know what Creative Arts Therapy entails. In attendance were representatives from the board discussing Hofstra’s CAT program (classes offered, amount of credits required to graduate, and the career itself which is an accumulation of counseling as well as allowing the ‘arts’ to speak for an individual overwhelmed by various circumstances).

Also highlighted was the club itself: CATCH (Creative Arts Therapy Club at Hofstra) and the benefits of being involved. The advantages for me have included events such as Welcome Back Luncheon where I received a great t-shirt, Annual Art Show allowing me to submit my artwork, Holiday Parties, and the camaraderie of classmates who often developed into study partners and occasionally life-time friends.

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SAVE THE DATE! The Creative Arts Therapy Program at Hofstra University School of Health Sciences and Human Services Presents:

INSPIRATIONS IN ART THERAPY PRACTICE

As the need for mental health services continues to grow and change, art therapists have responded in various ingenious and inspirational ways. Hear from professionals who have broadened their scope of practice, established programs and practices where none existed before, and challenged the status quo.

Tuesday, March 4, 2014 8:30-3:45 p.m. | Multipurpose Room Sondra and David S. Mack Student Center, North Campus KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Judith Rubin, PhD, ATR-BC, HLM, will reflect on 50 years of inspiration in, through, and about art therapy Full program details available in January 2014 at: hofstra.edu/macat For more information, please contact: Margaret Carlock-Russo, LCAT, ATR-BC or Joan Bloomgarden, PhD, LCAT, ATR-BC Graduate Program Co- Directors, Creative Arts Therapy Phone: 516-463-7259 Email: Margaret.E.Carlock@hofstra.edu

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The CATCH Review Upcoming Events:

February 24, 2014

6:00-8:00pm Hagedorn Hall Gallery Reception highlighting the work of selected clients who participate in art therapy and creative arts groups at Helen Keller National Center and United Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau-Life Options Program.

(Sponsored by the Creative Arts Therapy Program at Hofstra University)

March 4, 2014

8:45am-3:00pm Sondra and David S. Mack Student Center - Multipurpose Room Creative Arts Therapy at Hofstra Conference: “Inpirations in Art Therapy Practice�

(Sponsored by the Creative Arts Therapy Program at Hofstra University)

April 3, 2014

11:00am-1:00pm Room TBA CATCH Guest Speaker, Christine Randolph, ATR-BC, LCAT; Presentation will focus on the value of open art studio with a psychiatric population.

(Sponsored by the Creative Arts Therapy Club at Hofstra University)

Creative Arts Therapy at Hofstra