Therapeutic Art Training Course Information Sally Martin Ph: +61 (0) 7 5478 6260 Email: sallymartin.sienna@gmail.com Website: www.siennaacademy.com.au 1
Spiritual Foundations of the Therapeutic Art Training The course has as its spiritual foundation the work of three main pioneers: Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925) Rudolf Steiner was a highly developed seer, who spoke out of his direct perception of the spiritual world. He initiated a modern and universal science of the spirit, which he presented to the world in numerous books and lectures. He provided suggestions for the renewal of many different activities, including education, agriculture, medicine, economics, architecture, science, philosophy, religion, and the arts. He also gave insights into the spiritual nature of the human being, the evolution of the world and humanity, and methods of personal development. Anthroposophy is the word that Rudolf Steiner used to describe the spiritual insights that he shared with people during his lifetime. It means wisdom relating to mankind. Johann W. V. Goethe (1749-1832) Goethe was a 19 th century scientist and renowned author. He produced a theory of colour that was based on years of personal observation. He used prisms, lenses, and various vessels to demonstrate how and under what conditions colour could arise. All this was carefully documented under various headings: physical colours; physiological colours; general characteristics and effect of colour with reference to moral associations; etc. When Rudolf Steiner was a young man, he was invited to Weimer in Germany to work in the Goethe archive, in order to edit part of his scientific works. Of particular interest to Steiner was Goethe s observation that colours arise between the meeting of light and darkness. Steiner took this further in his own spiritual research. His work on colour inspired many different artists to develop new approaches to painting. Liane Collot d Herbois (1907-1999) Liane was born in Tintagel in England; a special place where sea spray and sunlight continually intermingle at the cliff s edge. Her senses were nurtured in a special way in those early years, fostering her ability to perceive the spiritual nature of colour. Liane was already a fully trained artist when she came into contact with Rudolf Steiner s ideas on light, darkness and colour. As a result of this she changed her whole approach to painting and the rest of her life was selflessly given over to serving the Being of colour. She had a strong interest in the healing aspect of colour developing this through her work in a home for children with special needs. Her unique ability to look at a child s paintings and understand the nature of the illness and the necessary healing path was recognised by Dr Ita Wegman (1876-1943) who had worked closely with Rudolf Steiner. Liane was invited to work in her clinic in Arlesheim, Switzerland, where she could deepen her insights. Traditionally the rainbow and the rainbow-colours have always played an important part in anthroposophical Therapeutic Art. But one must remember that the rainbow always comes into manifestation between the light and the darkness: There is a dome of lightness on the inside of every rainbow and darkness on its outside, the darkness of the clouds against which it appears. The rainbow is a beautiful image of the human being: Its seven colours can be looked upon as the purified human soul, the light and darkness on either side of it stand for the spiritual creative polarity that calls it into being. In the human being the polarity can be found in the light of consciousness and the darkness of the living organism in which creative and destructive processes are continuously at work. (Liane Collot d Herbois, Light, Darkness and Colour in Therapeutic Art, p46) 2
The light and darkness aspect of Liane s approach to Therapeutic Art, addresses the incarnating path of the higher ego or higher self. It is related to mankind s spiritual development. Working with colour, is related more to the soul realm. Liane gave freely of her knowledge and insights to many visiting artists, doctors and therapists, who wanted to know more about the health giving and enlivening potential that colour can offer. From these inspired meetings, a number of trainings have developed in different parts of the world. Sally Martin, principal teacher. Sally has been involved with Anthroposophy since 1980, mainly working in the context of Camphill Communities in the UK. (Living and working together with people with special needs)her interest in Art Therapy stems from this time where she was able to work with an experienced art therapist. Many opportunities for Sally to work with professional artists stimulated her own artistic development, and from each she gathered new insights into the world of colour. In 1994 she came in contact with the teachings of Liane Collot d Herbois (1907-1999) Sally successfully completing four years of Therapeutic Art training at the Emerald Foundation in the Netherlands, followed by a further 4 years of artistic painting in this method. In July 2001 Sally moved with her family to Australia. Since then she has consistently worked as a teacher and a therapist both locally and further abroad. The Therapeutic Art Training which started in 2008 has an average of 10 students. The first group of pioneers have participated in one complete 4-year round of the training. The second round of training begins in April 2012. The course is going from strength to strength with many specialist teachers becoming involved. These teachers bring their expertise in areas such as the anthroposophic medical understanding of the human being; music therapy; sacred geometry; early childhood development; spiritual psychology; eurythmy; rhythmical massage; Goethean observation and counseling. Summary of Stages in the Therapeutic Art Training Stage 1 General basic work in light, colour and darkness (Artistic schooling for the student) Stage 2 General therapeutic work in light, colour and darkness (Therapeutic schooling for the student) Stage 3 Individual therapeutic work in light, colour and darkness (Schooling for the student to give therapeutic exercises to the client) 3
Stage one General basic work in light, colour and darkness This stage gives an artistic schooling for the student where a foundation will be laid for working competently in the medium of charcoal, watercolour moist-on-moist, veil painting and various drawing techniques. Students will be introduced to the 12 basic light and darkness exercises explored through the medium of charcoal and the 12 corresponding colour worlds. Practical subjects: Light and darkness work in charcoal Moist-on-moist water colour painting. Veil painting with water colours Observation exercises using pencils, coloured pencils and wax crayons. Theoretical subjects The theory of light and darkness. Colour theory. Colour in connection with the evolution of consciousness Other relevant anthroposophic subjects. Stage Two General Therapeutic Work Exploring each of the 12 light and darkness exercises in connection with the corresponding colour world and the relation to the healthy human being. Practical subjects: Exercises for training the senses Light and darkness work in charcoal Moist-on-moist water colour painting Veil painting with water colours Observation exercises using pencils, coloured pencils and wax crayons Sacred/projective geometry Clay modeling Eurythmy Music therapy 4
Theoretical subjects: The spiritual background to light, colour and darkness. Aspects of Art History Study of the Image of Man Study of the ethers and elements The healthy working of each colour in the human being. The too light and the too dark working of each colour in the human being. Other relevant anthroposophic subjects. Anthroposophic medical studies in: Anatomy Morphology Physiology Embryology Biographical work Stage Three Training student s skills with respect to working with individual clients. Emphasis is placed on learning to work with individual clients of different ages. Client case studies are presented which are related to one of each of the 12 fundamental light and darkness exercises. This is explored in relation to the process of illness and the process of healing. Students learn to understand the working of light, colour and darkness in these examples of client s pictures, and how this corresponds to the client s health and ill health. From this students learn how to develop a therapeutic path. Practical subjects: Practicing to set up a therapeutic environment. Practicing communication skills with clients. Practicing how to introduce a client to the intended exercise. Practicing how to paint/draw a sequence of pictures that evolve gradually. Practicing communicating with parents, doctors and therapists. Writing reports. Training of therapeutic skills: Understanding the process of illness in the human being. Observation and analysis of clients works. Understanding the clinical pictures of certain diseases. 5
Personal Development: Health and personal development. Training the faculties needed to become a therapist. Studies in inner development General and anthroposophic medicine: Anatomy Physiology Pathology Embryology Pediatrics Life phases and biography. Geriatrics Curative education Social Therapy Psychosomatic illnesses Psychology Psychiatry Independent work at home includes: Completing the exercises begun on the course, or in some instances re-doing them. Keeping and regularly updating a portfolio of notes taken during the course. Further research on course content. Observation exercises and reading to prepare for each subsequent module. Individual exercises. Practicing and developing therapeutic skills. Written work Well-presented notes covering the whole content of the course. Completion of all essays and assignments up to required standard. Portfolio of practical exercises completed during the course and at home. A record of the hours worked at home Completion of practicals with written reports. Two in depth client case studies fully illustrated and documented. Hours of training Course contact time: Each week Six weeks (30 x 6) One year - twelve weeks (30 x 12) Four years (360 x 4) 30 hrs 180 hrs 360 hrs 1,440 hrs 6
Individual study: Each week 18 hrs One year of 40 possible weeks for individual study (less 12 weeks of training) 18 x 40 720 hrs Four years (720 x 4) 2,880 hrs Combined contact hours plus individual study hours over four years: 1,440 + 2,880 4, 320 hrs NB. Individual study time needs to be recorded and signed off by the principle teacher. Practicals Placements in 4 different situations: Working in a therapeutic environment; observing art therapy sessions with a qualified art therapist from any anthroposophic background; observing sessions with a qualified Liane Collot d'herbois art therapist; working alongside a qualified Liane Collot d'herbois art therapist. Entrance requirements: Experience in therapy, nursing, work with people with special needs, palliative care, eurythmy or teaching. Familiarity with, or openness to learn more about the anthroposophic background. Maturity - The minimum age of students is 22 years Application Process: Admission to the training course requires the following: A letter describing your motivation for doing the course. A short biography. Either a personal interview or a telephone interview. Return of the enrolment form together with the deposit. Personal interviews and assessment Throughout the training there will be individual support, guidance and assessment Work Opportunities Private practice. Anthroposophic centres in many different countries schools, medical practices, curative education and social therapeutic establishments. Teaching in schools for art therapy. Affiliation The Sienna Academy is affiliated to the Emerald Foundation in The Netherlands (See appendix) Through this affiliation there will be a possibility for students to receive a diploma at the end that is recognized by the European Academy and thereby the Medical section of the Goetheanum. Course Fee Please see appendix 7
Appendix The Emerald Foundation The training began in the spring of 1986. It came into being as a direct response to the wishes of Liane Collot d Herbois. She realised that her insights, experience and research needed to be taken further, and made available to a much wider group of people. Josine Hutchison was the motivating force behind the school, together with Dr L.P. Walburgh Schmidt and later Dr P.T. Hutchison. A growing number of students came towards the school and in 1988 a Foundation was set up which was given the name Emerald by Liane herself. The training course is recognised by the European Academy and the Medical Section of the Goetheanum. For more details see the Emerald Foundation website: www.emeraldfoundation.nl Cost of training for 2012-2013: Participation in Therapeutic Art Training: $375 x 6 = $2,250 for a 6 week block. There are 2 x 6 week blocks a year for 4 years. Participation in 'Foundation Course' week only: $420 for each week. There are 8 possible Foundation Course weeks taught over a period of 4 years. NB. Materials and accommodation are not included in the above prices. For more information contact Sally Martin: Address: 27 Deodar Court, Mapleton, Qld 4560 Phone: +61 (0) 7 5478 6260 Email: Website: sallymartin.sienna@gmail.com www.siennaacademy.com.au 8