Visual Arts
Art education is a vital part of all children's educational experience. "Years of research show that it's closely linked to almost everything that we as a nation say we want for our children and demand from our schools: academic achievement, social and emotional development, civic engagement, and equitable opportunity" (Smith, 2009).
Emotional and Behavioral disorders in students often times make it very difficult in regard to communicating with these particular students. Visual Arts have been successful in creating another form of communication, in addition to a form of image based inquiry, or art therapy that can have a positive effect on mental health and generates creative healing (Neiman, 2006). Studies support that creating art pieces about trauma or stress improves health and ultimately reduces stress. Through the use of a wide variety of visual art practices, patients attempt and are able to work through fear, anger, resentment, and isolation (Pizarro, 2004). Visual Art provides another opportunity for nonverbal expression and communication in a non-threatening way. This is a great methodology as some many students have difficulty in expressing their thoughts and feeling in effective words and or actions (Pifalo ,2008).
Visual Art is a resourceful method of communication and provides another opportunity for self-expression. It is important to note that though art is another creative means of communication with emotionally disturbed students, and teachers of all contents are encouraged to use visual art as another form of communication with these particular students, it is not within our educational pedagogy nor are we professionally qualified to practice art therapy.
Art therapists are masters level professionals who hold a degree in art therapy or a related field. Art Therapy is a mental health profession that uses the creative process of art making to improve and enhance the physical, mental and emotional well-being of individuals of all ages. It is based on the belief that the creative process involved in artistic self-expression helps people to resolve conflicts and problems, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce stress, increase self-esteem and self-awareness, and achieve insight.Art therapy integrates the fields of human development, visual art (drawing, painting, sculpture, and other art forms), and the creative process with models of counseling and psychotherapy. Art therapy is used with children, adolescents, adults, older adults, groups, and families to assess and treat the following: anxiety, depression, and other mental and emotional problems and disorders; substance abuse and other addictions; family and relationship issues; abuse and domestic violence; social and emotional difficulties related to disability and illness; trauma and loss; physical, cognitive, and neurological problems; and psychosocial difficulties related to medical illness. Art therapy programs are found in a number of settings including hospitals, clinics, public and community agencies, wellness centers, educational institutions, businesses, and private practices (Otiveros, 2011).
Art therapy is defined as a perspective use of art materials and directives to facilitate positive change in an individuals thoughts, feelings, and behaviors (Van Meter, 2010). Art therapy is considered a related service which involves the provision of specific qualified assistance for students who require special education services. "Because a student is pulled from the classroom for art therapy sessions, art therapy as a related service is considered restrictive in that it restricts a education students who are experiencing a long-standing issue that warrants intervention; special education students who are experiencing a short-term need are not appropriate referrals for art therapy as a related service" (American Art Therapy Association, 2010). Before a committee can recommend art therapy as a related service, written parental or guardian consent must be obtained to evaluate the student for this service. The evaluation results yield treatment goals if a student qualifies for art therapy as a related service, and the evaluation and goals are reviewed with the referring committee and parents/guardians/student prior to formally recommending art therapy as a related service in the Once a service has been formally recommended in the IEP, the school district must provide that service.
As suggested by Megan L. Van Meter, MA, LPC-AT, ATR-BC, who is a Licensed Professional Counselor with an Art Therapy Specialty Designation as well as a Registered & Board Certified Art Therapist, some students who could benefit from a counseling referral would be equally good art therapy candidates. Both services can address the same issues and goals (Van Meter, 2010). Here are some general guidelines for determining when to request an art therapy evaluation rather than a counseling evaluation:
Color Theory:
Colors are sometimes used to determine emotions. Colors have a huge effect on people who have brain disorders or who are emotionally troubled. The color blue has a calming effect on many people and lowers respiration and blood pressure. Red has the opposite effect. Some therapists use green to sooth and relax emotionally disturbed people who suffer from anxiety or depression. Some claim that the color violet is good for migraines but I doubt that claim because it would be used more extensively in the medical field. Yellow helps energize people and relieves depression.
Color Symbolism Chart
Red: Excitement, energy, passion, love, desire, speed, strength, power, heat, aggression, danger, fire, blood, war, violence, all things intense and passionate.
Pink: symbolizes love and romance, caring, tenderness, acceptance and calm.
Beige and ivory: symbolize unification. Ivory symbolizes quiet and pleasantness. Beige symbolizes calm and simplicity.
Yellow: Joy, happiness, betrayal, optimism, idealism, imagination, hope, sunshine, summer, gold, philosophy, dishonesty, cowardice, jealousy, covetousness, deceit, illness, hazard and friendship.
Blue: Peace, tranquility, cold, calm, stability, harmony, unity, trust, truth, confidence, conservatism, security, cleanliness, order, loyalty, sky, water, technology, depression, appetite suppressant.
Turquoise: symbolizes calm. Teal symbolizes sophistication. Aquamarine symbolizes water. Lighter turquoise has a feminine appeal.
Purple: Royalty, nobility, spirituality, ceremony, mysterious, transformation, wisdom, enlightenment, cruelty, arrogance, mourning.
Lavender: symbolizes femininity, grace and elegance.
Amber: Energy, balance, enthusiasm, warmth, vibrant, expansive, flamboyant, demanding of attention.
Green: nature, environment, healthy, good luck, renewal, youth, spring, generosity, fertility, jealousy, inexperience, envy, misfortune, vigor.
Brown: Earth, stability, hearth, home, outdoors, reliability, comfort, endurance, simplicity, and comfort.
Silver: Security, reliability, intelligence, staid, modesty, dignity, maturity, solid, conservative, practical, old age, sadness, boring. Silver symbolizes calm.
White: Reverence, purity, birth, simplicity, cleanliness, peace, humility, precision, innocence, youth, winter, snow, good, sterility, marriage (Western cultures), death (Eastern cultures), cold, clinical.
Black: Power, sexuality, sophistication, formality, elegance, wealth, mystery, fear, evil, unhappiness, depth, style, evil, sadness, remorse, anger, anonymity, underground, good technical color, mourning, death (Western cultures).
Art Theory
Although we are not qualified to approach students with the same methodologies as a art therapist would, there are a number of ways in which educators can utilize art to better communicate with all students. One of the four major components to art education is emotional expression. Students love doing art projects and within their projects one will find varying degrees of emotional expressions. When evaluating these projects, subject matter and context are important considerations. Color theory can also reveal subtle clues however it is important to note that for many students, especially with younger children, art is more of a focus on the process itself and students are exploring rather than making conscious artistic choices within a composition. Visual art can provide us with a non verbal method of communication and it is not in our best interest to make assumptions about students solely based upon their art work. If there is a concern, it is strongly advised to communicate these feelings with other administrators and qualified professionals within the school.
Emotional and Behavioral disorders in students often times make it very difficult in regard to communicating with these particular students. Visual Arts have been successful in creating another form of communication, in addition to a form of image based inquiry, or art therapy that can have a positive effect on mental health and generates creative healing (Neiman, 2006). Studies support that creating art pieces about trauma or stress improves health and ultimately reduces stress. Through the use of a wide variety of visual art practices, patients attempt and are able to work through fear, anger, resentment, and isolation (Pizarro, 2004). Visual Art provides another opportunity for nonverbal expression and communication in a non-threatening way. This is a great methodology as some many students have difficulty in expressing their thoughts and feeling in effective words and or actions (Pifalo ,2008).
Visual Art is a resourceful method of communication and provides another opportunity for self-expression. It is important to note that though art is another creative means of communication with emotionally disturbed students, and teachers of all contents are encouraged to use visual art as another form of communication with these particular students, it is not within our educational pedagogy nor are we professionally qualified to practice art therapy.
Art therapists are masters level professionals who hold a degree in art therapy or a related field. Art Therapy is a mental health profession that uses the creative process of art making to improve and enhance the physical, mental and emotional well-being of individuals of all ages. It is based on the belief that the creative process involved in artistic self-expression helps people to resolve conflicts and problems, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce stress, increase self-esteem and self-awareness, and achieve insight.Art therapy integrates the fields of human development, visual art (drawing, painting, sculpture, and other art forms), and the creative process with models of counseling and psychotherapy. Art therapy is used with children, adolescents, adults, older adults, groups, and families to assess and treat the following: anxiety, depression, and other mental and emotional problems and disorders; substance abuse and other addictions; family and relationship issues; abuse and domestic violence; social and emotional difficulties related to disability and illness; trauma and loss; physical, cognitive, and neurological problems; and psychosocial difficulties related to medical illness. Art therapy programs are found in a number of settings including hospitals, clinics, public and community agencies, wellness centers, educational institutions, businesses, and private practices (Otiveros, 2011).
Art therapy is defined as a perspective use of art materials and directives to facilitate positive change in an individuals thoughts, feelings, and behaviors (Van Meter, 2010). Art therapy is considered a related service which involves the provision of specific qualified assistance for students who require special education services. "Because a student is pulled from the classroom for art therapy sessions, art therapy as a related service is considered restrictive in that it restricts a education students who are experiencing a long-standing issue that warrants intervention; special education students who are experiencing a short-term need are not appropriate referrals for art therapy as a related service" (American Art Therapy Association, 2010). Before a committee can recommend art therapy as a related service, written parental or guardian consent must be obtained to evaluate the student for this service. The evaluation results yield treatment goals if a student qualifies for art therapy as a related service, and the evaluation and goals are reviewed with the referring committee and parents/guardians/student prior to formally recommending art therapy as a related service in the Once a service has been formally recommended in the IEP, the school district must provide that service.
As suggested by Megan L. Van Meter, MA, LPC-AT, ATR-BC, who is a Licensed Professional Counselor with an Art Therapy Specialty Designation as well as a Registered & Board Certified Art Therapist, some students who could benefit from a counseling referral would be equally good art therapy candidates. Both services can address the same issues and goals (Van Meter, 2010). Here are some general guidelines for determining when to request an art therapy evaluation rather than a counseling evaluation:
- the student is withdrawn and has difficulty articulating thoughts and feelings
- the student is emotionally blocked and refuses to discuss emotional issues
- the student intellectualizes and uses verbal processes to distance self from emotional issues
- the student has experienced per-verbal trauma
- the student appears comfortable with and capable of expressing thoughts and feelings through visual means
- the student demonstrates emotional intensity following an art making experience
- there are known concerns about the content of the student’s artwork
Color Theory:
Colors are sometimes used to determine emotions. Colors have a huge effect on people who have brain disorders or who are emotionally troubled. The color blue has a calming effect on many people and lowers respiration and blood pressure. Red has the opposite effect. Some therapists use green to sooth and relax emotionally disturbed people who suffer from anxiety or depression. Some claim that the color violet is good for migraines but I doubt that claim because it would be used more extensively in the medical field. Yellow helps energize people and relieves depression.
Color Symbolism Chart
Red: Excitement, energy, passion, love, desire, speed, strength, power, heat, aggression, danger, fire, blood, war, violence, all things intense and passionate.
Pink: symbolizes love and romance, caring, tenderness, acceptance and calm.
Beige and ivory: symbolize unification. Ivory symbolizes quiet and pleasantness. Beige symbolizes calm and simplicity.
Yellow: Joy, happiness, betrayal, optimism, idealism, imagination, hope, sunshine, summer, gold, philosophy, dishonesty, cowardice, jealousy, covetousness, deceit, illness, hazard and friendship.
Blue: Peace, tranquility, cold, calm, stability, harmony, unity, trust, truth, confidence, conservatism, security, cleanliness, order, loyalty, sky, water, technology, depression, appetite suppressant.
Turquoise: symbolizes calm. Teal symbolizes sophistication. Aquamarine symbolizes water. Lighter turquoise has a feminine appeal.
Purple: Royalty, nobility, spirituality, ceremony, mysterious, transformation, wisdom, enlightenment, cruelty, arrogance, mourning.
Lavender: symbolizes femininity, grace and elegance.
Amber: Energy, balance, enthusiasm, warmth, vibrant, expansive, flamboyant, demanding of attention.
Green: nature, environment, healthy, good luck, renewal, youth, spring, generosity, fertility, jealousy, inexperience, envy, misfortune, vigor.
Brown: Earth, stability, hearth, home, outdoors, reliability, comfort, endurance, simplicity, and comfort.
Silver: Security, reliability, intelligence, staid, modesty, dignity, maturity, solid, conservative, practical, old age, sadness, boring. Silver symbolizes calm.
White: Reverence, purity, birth, simplicity, cleanliness, peace, humility, precision, innocence, youth, winter, snow, good, sterility, marriage (Western cultures), death (Eastern cultures), cold, clinical.
Black: Power, sexuality, sophistication, formality, elegance, wealth, mystery, fear, evil, unhappiness, depth, style, evil, sadness, remorse, anger, anonymity, underground, good technical color, mourning, death (Western cultures).
Art Theory
Although we are not qualified to approach students with the same methodologies as a art therapist would, there are a number of ways in which educators can utilize art to better communicate with all students. One of the four major components to art education is emotional expression. Students love doing art projects and within their projects one will find varying degrees of emotional expressions. When evaluating these projects, subject matter and context are important considerations. Color theory can also reveal subtle clues however it is important to note that for many students, especially with younger children, art is more of a focus on the process itself and students are exploring rather than making conscious artistic choices within a composition. Visual art can provide us with a non verbal method of communication and it is not in our best interest to make assumptions about students solely based upon their art work. If there is a concern, it is strongly advised to communicate these feelings with other administrators and qualified professionals within the school.