National Art Therapy Association to hold Annual Conference in Cleveland 

CLEVELAND - More than a thousand people from around the country are expected to visit Cleveland for the American Art Therapy Association’s 39th annual conference from November 19-23 in the Renaissance Hotel downtown. Cuyahoga Community College, The Buckey Art Therapy Association (BATA), Ursuline College, Art Therapy Studio and Center for Dialysis Care, RTA and Cleveland Magazine are just a few of the local sponsors who are contributing to the event.
 
The theme for this year’s AATA conference is “Art Therapy on the Cutting Edge: Invention & Innovation” and features child psychiatrist, neuroscience researcher, and trauma expert Dr. Bruce Perry, M.D., Ph.D. as keynote speaker. Dr. Perry is a Senior Fellow of the Child Trauma Academy in Houston, Texas and is co-author of The Boy Who Was Raised As a Dog: What Traumatized Children Can Teach Us About Loss, Love and Healing. His keynote address will discuss the healing impact of art therapy on brain functioning of children who have suffered trauma and neglect. The conference promises to offer attendees a chance to learn, network and become leaders in the field of art therapy.
 
As part of the conference, AATA members will take part in a service project benefiting Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity through creating a large-scale mural themed “What Makes a House a Home,” which will then be mounted in Habitat's new Cleveland headquarters Restore on November 18.  Members of the Buckeye Art Therapy Association are donating art supply kits for the children of Habitat families and the under-privileged children in Northeast Ohio.
 
Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson has declared “Art Therapy Week” during AATA’s visit to Cleveland, and Ohio House Representative Jim McGregor has declared Ohio Art Therapy Week during this event as well.  Rep. McGregor is currently sponsoring HB 587 that would provide art therapy certification in the form of title protection to create a clear definition for Ohio art therapists based on nationally recognized educational standards, competencies and credentialing.

The American Art Therapy Association (AATA) is made up of professionals who believe creating art can be healing and life enhancing. AATA has nearly 5,000 members with 36 chapters across the country. This conference will also be drawing in art therapists from all over the world. The five-day conference will include more than 200 paper presentations, panels, poster sessions, focus groups, courses and workshops, as well as a Night on the Town at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and other local off-site trips to Zygote Press, University Circle and Ursuline College.

To learn more about the conference, contact the AATA at 1-888-290-0878 or visit the AATA conference Web site at www.aataconference.org.