Nancy comes to her first Expressive Arts Open Studio with a jumble of anxiety and curiosity. She has never been to a counselor, but likes making jewelry and is hoping for a chance to get away from the stress of work and school. There are about ten people in the group, a few familiar faces and many strangers. Anxiety goes way up! The leader ask people to get comfortable, shut their eyes if they want, and breathe deeply. A chime sounds three times, signaling the end of the brief meditation. Nancy follows along, but is thinking; "This is bogus! Where is the art? I don't know how to do this. Everyone else is so relaxed...." The leader starts talking about maintaining a "safe environment." Nancy has a hard time listening and is noticing that some people brought their own art supplies. She thinks, "Sh...t! I didn't even think about bringing my beading supplies, but does that count as art?" Nancy's thoughts return to the room full of people and she catches the end of the leader's spiel:
"And please sign up if you would like WPI to supply a camera for the color photograph activity November 19. Tonight we will start by introducing ourselves and will then have about an hour for creative work and clean up. People will have the option of saying something about their work and what it was like to create it. We will close with another relaxation exercise. Let's start with introducing ourselves. Feel free to say a few words about why you came or what you are looking forward to tonight. I'll start. My name is Marcia Webster. I am an expressive therapy graduate student from Lesley College doing my training at the Student Development and Counseling Center three days a week. I am looking forward to drawing something really big and loud."
Nancy is relieved that the leader didn't ask about her personal life. She lets go of most of her anxiety by volunteering to speak third, after another student comments on how long its been since she played with clay. Nancy plunges in and says that she likes making beaded jewelry. No one looks turned off and other student seems really interested and ready to ask Nancy more about it. The rest of the time goes quickly as Nancy engrosses herself in an abstract drawing using craypas crayons and glitter. She doesn't not have to think about it when she tells the group that her drawing is about all the creative energy she is ignoring and the many barriers to fun in her daily life.
The Open Studio exists! Students at WPI are free to come any and every Thursday 6:00pm to 7:30pm at West Street House through B-term. For anyone interested in individual expressive arts therapy directed towards personal change, Marcia is available at the West Street House by appointment (ext. 5540).