Liberatory Art-Making
Reimagining Community Care
Course Description
In dreaming new worlds, it is easy to get lost or trapped in the impossibility of articulating the intangible. Recognizing that our mental health system is often limited to the ways in which we presently offer care, we turn toward artists, cultural bearers, and creators who possess the gift to channel the abstract and conceptual. While art has been integrated into mental health practice, it is rarely taken to its fullest potential of fostering new ways of knowing, or locating oneself culturally, politically, or spiritually.
This class will explore the liberatory and healing potential of art-making, introducing applications of art within mental health settings that create cracks of possibility. Participants will take away practical tools to create spaces of imagination that can be applied in and outside of clinical care settings. Through an experiential approach, participants will be invited to ground themselves in somatic practice and journaling. We will explore the following questions: In what ways do you see your wellness tied to the wellness of your community? How does your community already care for you? What areas do you need help? What could become possible as we prioritize liberation and care for all? Faculty will also weave together previous themes covered in the Crisis as Catalyst series, including channeling our ancestors and moving through grief.
What you’ll learn:
The power of creativity to cultivate inclusive communities through shared art-making and cultural exchange
How to apply somatic imagining exercises to fashion new worlds rooted in community, connection, and relationship
What sanism is, how it plays out in and outside of the mental health system, and how to resist oppressive experiences through art
The importance of locating art within political lineages, and its role in advancing a range of social movements
How art practices can create spaces of healing and discovery for those we support in our roles as mental health professionals, peers, and caregivers
Faculty
Priya Dadlani, Cultural Worker
Priya is an Indo-Caribbean cultural worker from Silver Spring, MD. Dedicated to liberation from the oppressive boxes white supremacy, capitalism, and patriarchy work overtime to keep us in, Priya's work is rooted in constantly standing on the edge of transformation, believing in the possibility of a new world. Her toolbox consists of political education, zine making, strategy, facilitation, and storytelling. Priya currently resides in Brooklyn, NY where she organizes with SPICY, a collective she founded led by and for queer people of color working at the intersection of art, justice, and cultural archival. In addition, she is the Communications Associate at Third Wave Fund, a member of the Jahajee Sisters grassroots action team, and works with Media Sutra to support the dreams of Black and brown creative entrepreneurs. She also self-publishes a monthly newsletter titled “Dispatches from Chrysalis.”
Roxie Ehlert, Artist, Art Therapist, and Educator
Roxie is a disabled, queerfemme artist, art therapist, educator, and writer. She holds a Master of Arts in Art Therapy from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago where she later taught in the Art Therapy graduate program. Her research examines how sanist stigma impacts mental health providers who also experience “mental illness.” She has worked in community mental health, rape crisis, immigration detention, community studio, and private practice settings. Roxie currently teaches in the Art Therapy and Counseling graduate program at Southwestern College in Santa Fe, NM. As an educator she is committed to creating anti-oppressive classroom spaces that politicize emerging mental health practitioners and foster the development of critical consciousness. Her personal art practice explores themes of dislocation, home, grief, and queer belonging using stitch work, installation, photography, and encaustic collage.
“I loved the depth and dynamics of the class. From the meditation, to the art making, to discussion, to the knowledge and information presented, it was the most dynamic and engaging online experience I’ve had.”
What You Get
13 videos (2 hours of content) full of history, research, and unique perspectives
Exclusive readings and resources
Discussion with a creative community of professionals and advocates inside the course
A reference and resource list to aid ongoing learning and exploration on the course topics
Audience
This course is for:
Mental health and physical health professionals, including: clinicians, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, peer specialists, recovery support specialists, housing specialists, nurse practitioners, wellness support workers, coaches, holistic practitioners
Students
Activists
Family members and advocates
Anyone who works or plans to work with people experiencing mental health-related challenges
“Both instructors were brilliant! It was an incredible jolt of inspiration and a reminder of the power of collective liberation and community organizing. Also, the ways art therapy can engage the body in powerful ways that can move deeper than talk therapy.”
Take the Class
This self-paced course is hosted on Mighty Networks, home to IDHA's School for Transformative Mental Health. This virtual community space supports sustained learning, engagement with other students, access to supplemental resources, and opportunities to interact with your faculty.
We provide the option of enrolling for at the general ($20) or supporter rate ($40) to ensure the sustainability of IDHA’s work and enable us to create more accessible, cutting-edge training content.
CLICK THE BUTTONS BELOW TO JOIN US ON MIGHTY NETWORKS!
If you already have an account, simply log in to proceed to the course.
If you’re new to IDHA’s Mighty Network, you will be prompted to create an account and then receive access to course content.
FAQ
When does the course start and finish?
This is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.
How long do I have access to the course?
After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.
What if I am unhappy with the course, content, or platform?
We love hearing your feedback on what we can do to improve our efforts to bring transformative mental health to the public! Shoot us an email at contact@idha-nyc.org and let us know your thoughts. If you disagree with any of the perspectives shown in this course - that's great! We encourage differing perspectives, so feel free to leave a comment in the course - so long as your comments remain respectful and you speak from your own point of view.
I am a person struggling with mental health issues/a family member of someone who is struggling. Can I take the course?
Absolutely! Just note that this course is geared towards professionals in the field, and will speak mostly to those working in a formal support role. However, we welcome anyone who wants to join!
Are refunds available?
At this time, all sales are final, we cannot offer refunds after purchase.