Conference Program

Welcome
The Conference Committee welcomes you to the 2013 American Art Therapy Association’s 44th
Annual Conference, Art Therapy: Connecting Visual Expression & Healing. I hope that you’re ready
to soak in all that this stunning conference location offers us. Get ready for an amazing conference
experience! Most of our sessions will take place at the Washington State Convention Center, but
there are some sessions at the Sheraton, including our daily plenary sessions, the advanced
practice courses, the Newcomer’s Session, and the President’s Opening Reception. Check the
program guide for the schedule details.
Please join me in thanking this year’s Conference Committee. They have once again planned a
spectacular annual conference. Special thanks to Lisa Wasserman, Program Chair, and Mary
Ellen McAlevey, Special Sessions Chair, who have assembled an exceptional educational
program; Bryce Bailey, Local Arrangements Committee (LAC) Chair, and his entire team of
volunteers who serve as our hosts for this cool city; Heidi Tournoux-Hanshaw, Members’ Art
Exhibition Chair; Susan Boxer-Kappel, Arts Events and Art Studio Chair, who has designed a
creative Open Art Studio; Janice Hoshino, Memorial Ceremony Coordinator; Sangeetha Ravichandran, Member Film
Festival Coordinator, Gaelynn Wolf Bordonaro, our official conference photographer, and Brian Tepper, the 2013 Quick
Draw Coordinator. We also thank our program review committee that reviewed a larger than usual number of proposals.
Please note their names in the program guide and be sure to thank them personally. We especially recognize Sarah
Deaver, our board liaison, for her dedicated involvement and leadership. We couldn’t have created such an amazing
event without each of these volunteers who have dedicated many hours of their time.
I also want to thank Antioch University Seattle and the Evergreen Art Therapy Association that have both provided
resources and sponsorship support for the sand Mandala art exhibit to be created by the artist representing the Tibetan
Children’s Education Foundation. We hope you will make time to enjoy this remarkable experience!
As my term as Conference Chair comes to a close I want to thank the team I have worked with over the past 2 years
including the Conference Committee, the volunteers in the host cities, our Board Liaison, and the staff at the National
Office. It has been a great privilege to serve in this role over the past 2 years. In 2014 we will welcome Jane DeSouza
back as the Conference Chair and we all look forward to the annual conference in San Antonio, TX!
Now let’s make this the best conference ever!
Raquel
Raquel Farrell-Kirk, M.S., ATR-BC
Conference Chair
Members of the Local Arrangements Committee (LAC) are excited to have you as our guest in the
“Emerald City,” named in the top 10 list of coolest cities in America, and we plan to show you why!
Our meeting facilities are situated in a prime downtown area where you can access an array of
restaurants, shopping, the arts, and some of the most famous Seattle sites! Get ready to have fun,
expand your knowledge, and meet new friends in this fantastic city!
If you’re not attending the Night on the Town: An Evening at the Chihuly Garden and Glass
Museum event on Friday, we invite you to attend the Night on the Town: “Choose Your Own
Adventure!” Just select the “flavor” of Seattle you want to experience for a self-guided tour on the
town. Stop by the Hospitality Desk for more information. And, don’t forget to stop by the Black Coffee
Co-op Café on Friday evening from 9:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. to listen to our very own Bruce Moon and
Chris Belkofer’s musical performance. Find more details in the program guide.
We hope you’ll be inspired and moved by the creation of the sacred Tibetan sand mandala. Be sure to check the
program guide for several spectacular events on the schedule including the opening on Thursday morning, and the closing
ceremony on Saturday. The LAC team was thrilled to be able to support this incredible addition to the conference. We also
invite you to attend the “Sole of Seattle” Closing Reception on Saturday beginning at 8:00 p.m. Wear your fabulous
dancing shoes or decorate a pair for the event. Dance music will be provided by DJ Quilty 3000, an amazing Seattle
talent, along with refreshments and a cash bar.
Be sure to stop by the Hospitality Desk throughout the conference to pick up information on what to see and do in
Seattle, maps, buttons, and much more! I want to thank our amazing team of volunteers who have made a significant
“time investment” to ensure that your stay in Seattle is a top-notch experience. We look forward to meeting you!
Bryce
Bryce Bailey, M.A., ATR
Chair, Local Arrangements Committee
AATA 44th Annual Conference | Seattle, WA | www.arttherapyconference.com 5