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Art therapists and artists around the world are submitting postcard-sized art works reflecting these three concepts.The goal of the event is to highlight the importance of art in conflict resolution, community-building, and overall health.
Art therapy is a form of treatment that uses art materials as form of self-discovery, behavioral change, and stress reduction. Art therapists use traditional psychotherapy techniques along with their understanding of the psychological aspects of the creative process and art materials. As a healthcare professionals, art therapists are employed in many clinical settings with diverse populations. Art therapy can be found in community settings as well, such as in art studios and in workshops that focus on creative development, self-expression, and skill-building. Art therapists work with children, adolescents, and adults and provide treatment to individuals, couples, families, groups, and communities.
"The field of art therapy has grown tremendously in recent years," notes IATO founder, Cathy Malchiodi, PhD, who is an art therapist and mental health counselor. "While art therapy has been widely accepted throughout the United States and England, we are now seeing increased demands for training and programs in South America, Asia, and Africa. Research in the field of art therapy is also emerging and outcomes support the use of art therapy with cancer survivors, traumatized children, and diseases such as Alzheimer's and dementia."
IATO (internationalarttherapy.org) was formed in May 2009 to establish a global community for education, communication, and exchange of information on art therapy, therapeutic art making, and art for health and social transformation. It also promotes understanding of art therapy through dissemination of leading edge news and development of media, online education, archives, and publications for its members and the public. Currently, IATO's initiatives include the advancement of collaborative research projects among its approximately 1600 members. The Art Therapy Alliance (arttherapyalliance.org) was founded in 2008 by Gretchen Miller, ATR-BC, and is a professional group with over 700 members around the world that promotes the field of art therapy through news and networking opportunities.
"Art Peace Sustainability" is the first collaborative event for the International Art Therapy Organization and Art Therapy Alliance. A digital gallery has been created to display artworks and submissions will be accepted until December 31st, 2009. For more information, visit the IATO website.
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info[.]theiato.org 
