Embroidery, weaving, threading, and working with fabrics and colors — these actions represent more than just crafting; they symbolize the process of building, creating, and expressing our world. They connect us to ourselves, highlight our pain, and mark what we've left behind or lost. When we translate these concepts and emotions into wearable art, we celebrate life, embodying a "second skin" or reflecting on ourselves through embroidered self-portraits.

In this virtual Continuing Education session hosted by Gabriela Osorio Fajardo, MTFS, MTA, participants will learn how to begin their own art piece or a traditional Mexican huipil by exploring five key questions that deepen the symbolism behind stitches and colors. We will examine various examples of embroidery and textile-based activities, discussing how each can be integrated into clinical practice. 

Registration fees are $52 for AATA members and $82 for non-members. The session is FREE for AATA student members! Attendees may receive 2 CE credits.

Shared Interest Groups, or SIGs, were created to help art therapists find community at the annual conferences — and year-round through the MyAATA Member Community. SIGs are led by AATA members to create connection and a space for art therapists to support each other. Please join a SIG according to your interests and based on how you personally identify. Register for AATA2024 and find your community through a SIG!

This year’s conference workshops are nearly FULL! There are literally less than 50 seats left total. If you’re looking for more art-making experientials, then take a look at this year’s workshop list.

Workshops are 90-minute educational sessions that offer attendees an “experiential” component to gain hands-on experience over the material covered. Art supplies are provided by AATA. These are special ticketed sessions with a limited number of seats ($42 for members).

Advanced Practice Courses are postgraduate-level education sessions held on Oct. 6 — prior to the conference officially opening. Each course is limited to 30 attendees, allowing for a more personalized experience. Full-Day Advanced Practice Courses are 7-hour didactic ticketed sessions with an “experiential” component designed to engage all participants in a process, including art directives through which they will gain hands-on experience and mastery over the material covered. Half-Day Courses are 3-hour long sessions. Full-day courses are $170 and half-day courses are $100 for AATA members.

● Oct. 6, 7:30 p.m.: Join AATA President Nadia Paredes, MA, LMFT, ATR, at the President’s Opening Reception, and connect with friends and colleagues. (Tickets are $35 and include one drink ticket and heavy appetizers.) 
● Oct. 7, 6:30 p.m.: Join us for the Arts & Crafts Marketplace and AATA Member Author Bookstore (with appetizers and a cash bar). AATA2024 attendees will be showcasing their handmade crafts, art, jewelry, and more, for purchase, as well as the recent books they’ve published. Be prepared to be wowed! (No ticket needed!)
● Oct. 9, 8 p.m.: Let’s celebrate together at the Closing Reception. (Bring your dancing shoes as we are prepared to party until 11 p.m.!) Tickets are $35 and include one drink ticket and heavy appetizers.

Reception tickets may be purchased through the conference registration process.

“I first got to know Laura when I was her internship site supervisor. Despite coming to the field later in her career, she was all in as an art therapist from the moment she started — and a passionate artist too! However, when she graduated from her art therapy program, she learned that recent changes to counselor licensure in our home state of North Carolina now prevented her from obtaining a license! Here’s her story.”

Please join us for our next virtual All-Member Meeting on Sept. 25, 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. ET. AATA President Nadia Paredes and transformational change expert Sharon Newport will dedicate the entire meeting on an important topic: Evolving Our Culture with DEI Lenses. They will then facilitate a dialogue with AATA leaders and members about leading with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

We have extended this All-Member Meeting to two hours so that we will also have ample time to learn from Sharon Newport’s vast experience in transformative organizational change — and share and learn from each other. Attendees may receive 1 CE credit for participating in the DEI training session.

In addition, Sharon Newport will be offering our AATA volunteer leaders, including Board members, Committee Chairs, and Chapter leaders, a training on Sept. 12. This training will focus on most promising DEI practices within associations. AATA volunteer leaders are encouraged to attend both sessions. (Log in to MyAATA to register.)

Our first-ever printed annual edition of Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association is coming! This collector’s edition compiles the four issues of the journal in Volume 41 into one printed publication. Only 500 copies of this special printed version will be available for purchase — only for AATA members. Reserve your copy today!

● Article: Drawing in a Circle: Therapeutic Benefits on Anxiety in High and Low Stress Conditions
By Aris Karagiorgakis & Kaitlin Palmer

Featuring AATA member Susie Andruk
Source: Utah State University

Featuring AATA member Diana Shabtai
Source: Orange Coast Magazine

Featuring AATA Past President Girija Kaimal
Source: Mind Body Green

Featuring AATA retired member Gail Edwards
Source: Daily Camera

Featuring AATA member Sarah Whitmire
Source: Parents Magazine