The advantages

The advantage of art therapy is that even though children and adults are not always able to verbalise what is happening for them or how they feel, interaction in art therapy may be totally non-verbal until there is confidence to communicate verbally. The art helps hold that quiet space. Alternatively there are those who may over-verbalise, blocking feelings and thoughts which need expression; here interaction may be totally verbal until there is courage to mark a blank piece of paper, work with clay make a mask, or create an art work. In other words, art contributes to a fine balance within the therapeutic relationship attending to more aspects of a personality than would otherwise be accessible.

How does art therapy help?
... Ability to express feelings difficult to discuss
... Stimulates imagination and creativity
... Develops healthy coping skills and focus
... Increases self esteem and confidence
... Clarifies issues and concerns
... Increases communication skills
... Ability to share a safe nurturing environment
... Assists with development of motor skills and physical co-ordination
... Ability to identify feelings and blocks to emotional expression and personal growth

THE POWER OF THE VISUAL NARRATIVE - SHAUN TAN

It's often said that a picture tells a thousand words. Award winning Australian author and illustrator Shaun Tan knows a thing or two about visual narrative.
He's received numerous awards for his picture books, including the Children's Book Council of Australia Picture Book of the Year Award for The Rabbits, with John Marsden.
In 2001, he was named Best Artist at the World Fantasy Awards in Montreal.
In 2005 The Arrival, a migrant story told as a series of wordless images, became an international best-seller.
Shaun Tan delivers the 2009 Colin Simpson Lecture for the Australian Society of Authors in Sydney.
Here Shaun begins by explaining how he began telling stories without words.

Listen here to social analyst Hugh Mackay on Radio National’s Life Matters program 7th Nov 2008 extolling the benefits of the arts in building communities. He says more government funding should go to encouraging participation in the arts, not just funding professional artists and agencies.

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