Art Therapy Express


About Us - Support - Programs - Events - Resources - Acknowledgements - Awards - Contact
Present History	HISTORY OF ART THERAPY EXPRESS PROGRAMS INTERGENERATIONAL ART THERAPY Expressive Arts Therapy designed exclusively for geriatric female residents at Gilpen Nursing Home and female teenagers attending The Clarence Fraime Boys and Girls Club of Delaware. Participants formed special relationships utilizing the visual arts for communication and teamwork to explore their self-identity, self esteem, body image, self expression, compromise, feelings, music and even common female issues between the generations. COMMUNITY ART THERAPY Designed exclusively for students from 12-21 with Down’s syndrome and autism. This intensive 2 and 3 dimensional multimedia art program promoted creativity, self-esteem, and empowerment and aimed at promoting a life long form of self-expression. The program incorporated sculpture, wearable art, watercolor and acrylic painting, plaster gauze, mural work, oil pastels, drawing, collage and sculpture. It was the ability, not the disability, that the Art Therapy Express Program successfully brought out in each program participant. CHRISTMAS PAGEANT OF PEACE The Art Therapy Express Program has been chosen for 9 years to represent the state of Delaware in creating the decorative ornaments for the Delaware State Tree in Washington, D.C. The special education students are very proud of this honor. A COLLABORATION OF THE ARTS Our creative journey for students with intellectual disabilities was filled with music, art and their own student performances of many well-known fairy tales (with unique modern day endings). Special thanks to: Art therapist Lisa Bartoli, Delaware Institute for the Arts in Education, The Hudson Vagabond Puppets, The Meadowood Program/Red Clay Consolidated School District, Drama Specialist Danny Peak and Very Special Arts of Delaware. DISCOVER THE “YOU” IN UNITY After 9/11 this program was created for students with intellectual challenges. The expressive arts program was designed to weave together creativity and life. Student participants explored how unity could be addressed through art, movement, music and drama. Our goal was to become more aware of one another: how we work, socialize, express ourselves, learn to tolerate our differences and even learn to enjoy them. Our aim was to take our potential to its fullest - creatively, intellectually and socially. We connected with one another, emphasizing the importance of each program participant. Special thanks to: Lisa Bartoli - Unity Painting Coordinator and Events Coordinator, Joyce Fangman - Creative Movement Specialist, Vicki Smith - Dance Specialist, Heather Otto - Drama Specialist, Kathleen Apfelbaum - Artist in Residence, and Chuck Holdeman - Music Improvisation Educator. NAVAHO STORYTELLING Through a collaborative expressive arts experience with Delaware Institute for the Arts in Education, a Navaho Indian introduced participants with intellectual disabilities to traditional storytelling. We bridged this multi-sensory learning approach with the Indian art of pottery, mask making, sand painting and weaving. Our drama specialist taught drama as self-expression as he coached students in performing Coyote Indian Folktales. The artists in residence included Art Therapist, Lisa Bartoli, a traditional Navaho Indian, and Drama Specialist Danny Peak. The creative journey included a trip to the Delaware Art Museum where students observed famous paintings and sculptures then created art together in the museum’s art studio. LIFESCAPES We began our creative journey by attending a performance of powerful stories told by nationally known Charlotte Blake Alston. Next, parents and grandparents shared stories about their youth, helping drama resident artist Danny Peak to create a thought provoking play for our special education students to perform. The performance for students’ family members was a comparison of life in the early 20th century to the altered routines of today. Our junior high and senior high participants with intellectual challenges enjoyed being taught ballroom dancing by college students from the University of Delaware Dance Team. Under the direction of art therapist, Lisa Bartoli, participants then utilized disposable cameras to photograph their families, friends, hobbies and interests. For several months, the students worked diligently to incorporate these photographs into beautiful family scrapbooks promoting a new understanding of their heritage. ART AS THERAPY LANDSCAPE PAINTING DuPont Executives from around the world experienced art for enjoyment, as they were introduced to the art of landscape painting. Many participants were surprised and enthused by their personal artistic talent. ART THERAPY EXPRESS SUMMER CAMP Students with intellectual disabilities from age 3-21 were introduced to the power of the arts through visual arts, sculpture, music, movement, puppetry and drama. ART THERAPY EXPRESS AND ADAPTIVE TECHNOLOGY Through the introduction of adaptive art supplies, textured implements and holding devices students with severe physical and intellectual disabilities (ages 12-18) were empowered to their maximum potential for independent self-expression. Art Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist and teachers combined knowledge to create a teaching video designed exclusively to share learned knowledge with teachers, specialists and parents. ART THERAPY EXPRESS AND SELF EXPRESSION Students with severe physical and intellectual challenges (ages 3 - 12) were introduced to supportive adaptive technology to create paintings and murals, utilize a potters wheel, play handmade musical instruments, interact with puppets and utilize sensory integration through sight, sound, taste, touch and smell. REAL PROJECT In a special collaboration with the University of Delaware’s Center for Disabilities Studies, Art Therapist, Lisa Bartoli and artist, Cindy Phipps, teach the basics of art making, acrylic and watercolor painting, mixed media and pottery to adults in the community with intellectual disabilities. ALFRED I. DUPONT HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN/CANDLELIGHTER’S CHILDHOOD CANCER FOUNDATION OF DELAWARE Art Therapy Express Program Inc., has provided 5 years of art therapy for all children with cancer or in remission from cancer (in-patient or out-patient) whose parents are attending the monthly support meeting at the DuPont Hospital for Children. The art therapy is an entirely volunteer staff program provided at no cost to the foundation or hospital.

About Us - Support - Programs - Events - Resources - Acknowledgements - Awards - Contact

Present

History

HISTORY OF ART THERAPY EXPRESS PROGRAMS

INTERGENERATIONAL ART THERAPY
Expressive Arts Therapy designed exclusively for geriatric female residents at Gilpen Nursing Home and female teenagers attending The Clarence Fraime Boys and Girls Club of Delaware. Participants formed special relationships utilizing the visual arts for communication and teamwork to explore their self-identity, self esteem, body image, self expression, compromise, feelings, music and even common female issues between the generations.

COMMUNITY ART THERAPY
Designed exclusively for students from 12-21 with Down’s syndrome and autism. This intensive 2 and 3 dimensional multimedia art program promoted creativity, self-esteem, and empowerment and aimed at promoting a life long form of self-expression. The program incorporated sculpture, wearable art, watercolor and acrylic painting, plaster gauze, mural work, oil pastels, drawing, collage and sculpture. It was the ability, not the disability, that the Art Therapy Express Program successfully brought out in each program participant.

CHRISTMAS PAGEANT OF PEACE
The Art Therapy Express Program has been chosen for 9 years to represent the state of Delaware in creating the decorative ornaments for the Delaware State Tree in Washington, D.C. The special education students are very proud of this honor.

A COLLABORATION OF THE ARTS
Our creative journey for students with intellectual disabilities was filled with music, art and their own student performances of many well-known fairy tales (with unique modern day endings). Special thanks to: Art therapist Lisa Bartoli, Delaware Institute for the Arts in Education, The Hudson Vagabond Puppets, The Meadowood Program/Red Clay Consolidated School District, Drama Specialist Danny Peak and Very Special Arts of Delaware.

DISCOVER THE “YOU” IN UNITY
After 9/11 this program was created for students with intellectual challenges. The expressive arts program was designed to weave together creativity and life. Student participants explored how unity could be addressed through art, movement, music and drama. Our goal was to become more aware of one another: how we work, socialize, express ourselves, learn to tolerate our differences and even learn to enjoy them. Our aim was to take our potential to its fullest - creatively, intellectually and socially. We connected with one another, emphasizing the importance of each program participant. Special thanks to: Lisa Bartoli - Unity Painting Coordinator and Events Coordinator, Joyce Fangman - Creative Movement Specialist, Vicki Smith - Dance Specialist, Heather Otto - Drama Specialist, Kathleen Apfelbaum - Artist in Residence, and Chuck Holdeman - Music Improvisation Educator.

NAVAHO STORYTELLING
Through a collaborative expressive arts experience with Delaware Institute for the Arts in Education, a Navaho Indian introduced participants with intellectual disabilities to traditional storytelling. We bridged this multi-sensory learning approach with the Indian art of pottery, mask making, sand painting and weaving. Our drama specialist taught drama as self-expression as he coached students in performing Coyote Indian Folktales. The artists in residence included Art Therapist, Lisa Bartoli, a traditional Navaho Indian, and Drama Specialist Danny Peak. The creative journey included a trip to the Delaware Art Museum where students observed famous paintings and sculptures then created art together in the museum’s art studio.

LIFESCAPES
We began our creative journey by attending a performance of powerful stories told by nationally known Charlotte Blake Alston. Next, parents and grandparents shared stories about their youth, helping drama resident artist Danny Peak to create a thought provoking play for our special education students to perform. The performance for students’ family members was a comparison of life in the early 20th century to the altered routines of today. Our junior high and senior high participants with intellectual challenges enjoyed being taught ballroom dancing by college students from the University of Delaware Dance Team. Under the direction of art therapist, Lisa Bartoli, participants then utilized disposable cameras to photograph their families, friends, hobbies and interests. For several months, the students worked diligently to incorporate these photographs into beautiful family scrapbooks promoting a new understanding of their heritage.

ART AS THERAPY LANDSCAPE PAINTING
DuPont Executives from around the world experienced art for enjoyment, as they were introduced to the art of landscape painting. Many participants were surprised and enthused by their personal artistic talent.

ART THERAPY EXPRESS SUMMER CAMP
Students with intellectual disabilities from age 3-21 were introduced to the power of the arts through visual arts, sculpture, music, movement, puppetry and drama.

ART THERAPY EXPRESS AND ADAPTIVE TECHNOLOGY
Through the introduction of adaptive art supplies, textured implements and holding devices students with severe physical and intellectual disabilities (ages 12-18) were empowered to their maximum potential for independent self-expression. Art Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist and teachers combined knowledge to create a teaching video designed exclusively to share learned knowledge with teachers, specialists and parents.

ART THERAPY EXPRESS AND SELF EXPRESSION
Students with severe physical and intellectual challenges (ages 3 - 12) were introduced to supportive adaptive technology to create paintings and murals, utilize a potters wheel, play handmade musical instruments, interact with puppets and utilize sensory integration through sight, sound, taste, touch and smell.

REAL PROJECT
In a special collaboration with the University of Delaware’s Center for Disabilities Studies, Art Therapist, Lisa Bartoli and artist, Cindy Phipps, teach the basics of art making, acrylic and watercolor painting, mixed media and pottery to adults in the community with intellectual disabilities.

ALFRED I. DUPONT HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN/CANDLELIGHTER’S CHILDHOOD CANCER FOUNDATION OF DELAWARE
Art Therapy Express Program Inc., has provided 5 years of art therapy for all children with cancer or in remission from cancer (in-patient or out-patient) whose parents are attending the monthly support meeting at the DuPont Hospital for Children. The art therapy is an entirely volunteer staff program provided at no cost to the foundation or hospital.