Art Theory

Art as Empowerment: The Virtue of Art Therapy | Ann Lawton | TEDxUWRiverFalls



TEDx Talks

Art provides many opportunities to express ourselves and help us make sense of the complex world around us.

Ann E. Lawton believes that art has the potential to heal, transform and empower individuals and communities. As a Registered Art Therapist, she has worked with inmates, domestic abuse survivors, young adults with depression and anxiety, addicts and individuals with cognitive impairments. Lawton received her Bachelors of Science in Broad Area Art with a minor in psychology from the University of Wisconsin—River Falls and her Masters in Science in Art Therapy from Mount Mary University in Milwaukee. She teaches full-time in the art department at UWRF and conducts adult and child art enrichment classes at Fox Den Books in River Falls.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx

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46 thoughts on “Art as Empowerment: The Virtue of Art Therapy | Ann Lawton | TEDxUWRiverFalls
  1. Thank you for this inspiring, highly informative and entertaining presentation! I am considering an education in art therapy on a background of a masters degree in visual communication, many years in marketing communications and a lifetime of being an empathic listener and go-to-for-any-kind-of-advice and lift-me-up person. This is the first time I’ve seen something that makes me feel that I could actually do this. So, thank you,

  2. If only I could have had art therapy instead of the psycho bla bla and prozac. What a waste. BUT at 77 I am doing it now and LOVE it! Art should a course from grade one until you get your PHD.

  3. I wanted to understand art therapy more and after watching this, I got a deep understanding of its' beauty, purpose, and importance of art and its powerful role in expression and healing <3

  4. I just graduated after 4 years of Graphic Design. Sometimes it's hard not to compare your work to others. I kinda lost my passion so I'm taking a gap year to dive into my creativity & create things that makes me happy.

  5. I am a professional artist. When I was 8 years old I was dealing with a crippling anxiety. My mother did a very smart thing and bought me paint-by-number sets. Painting by number was like meditation for me, allowing me to experience flow (loosing track of time and place). Coloring books today are much like the paint by number sets in the 50's/60's. Those paint by number sets sparked my passion for color and shape. I continued to pursue art and completed an MFA. One never knows the value of an activity in ones life…for me paint by number was only the beginning!

  6. Coloring or anything even remotely like it is a place where many people feel safe to start to be creative. Coloring is therapy because it allows you to get out of your own way. The mind shuts off an you go into the zone of just coloring and not having to think about what to do next. That far surpasses any experience I have ever had paying for therapy.

  7. As an Art Therapist I've been searching for a video that accurately represents our field. This is the best video on Art Therapy that I have found! Thank-you for your informative and entertaining presentation!!! Finally, something I can post and share!

  8. I hate what you said about the adult coloring books being safe. You just did what my parents did when I was around 3-4 years old; as most parent did….."You have to finish that page before you are allowed to color the next…..and you have to stay in the lines". I am a clay sculptor that because of injury and illness I can't sculpted anymore. I began using the coloring books as a beginner to a new safe art for my body and to begin to find my way back to artist self. I felt your judgement and am discouraged. I'll try to remember what my first art professor asked me when I said I wasn't an artist yet to a fellow classmate; as it was my first "formal class"….it being college and all. She asked me a question…..Why aren't you an artist"? Think about it. BTW loved the rest of your talk.

  9. What is the definitive separation between having clients play with art and having true art therapy? I guess, I want to know what makes it necessary to have a masters degree?

  10. Thank you for this video, as an Art Therapist, I am always answering the questions you discuss, the adult coloring book "craze", and what Art Therapy actually is. Excellent video on the profession and its ability to help someone heal.

  11. I am very grateful for this talk. I have chronic major depression and am just seeking ways to practice art therapy for myself. I have witnessed how art therapy has helped others who have had addictions, depression, suicidal ideation. Thank you for promoting these healing modalities. It is so very much needed and so very valuable.

  12. she's breathing like she just orgasmed…… hard. a real breathy voice. did you notice that? anyone? be honest. maybe she's wearing those special remote control panties during this talk. what do you think?

    i want to know what you good wholesome fine folks on Youtube think of all this.

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