March, 24, 2017

Creativity Heals in an Uncreative Place: Art Therapy in Prison

A Lecture by

David E. Gussak, Ph.D., ATR-BC

Professor of Art Therapy and Chairperson of the Department of Art Education at Florida State University in Tallahassee. FL.

Presented by Masters of Arts in Art Therapy Program Community Outreach Lecture Series
Co-sponsored by the Creativity Speaker Series at Albertus Magnus College

Art therapists who wish to work in prison may believe that they will be operating within a highly structured and regulated system that restricts true creative expression and healing. Yet, for and environment that is perceived as stifling, desolate, and rigid, there are surprisingly inventive displays of creativity that occur within the walls. Counter-intuitively, innovative artistic expression is inherent - even championed - within this subculture. This presentation, through interviews and discussions with inmates in prison who create, research results, numerous illustration and personal experiences, will explore not only the value that art offers this population, but this drive to create as well. In doing so, the speaker will illuminate the numerous creative workaround techniques that allow art to flourish and creativity to heal in their uncreative environment.

6:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Registration and refreshments
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Lecture
8:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Exhibit of artwork by inmates and book signing with the author. Dr. Gussak's latest book Art on Trial: Art Therapy in Capital Murder Cases will be available at a discounted price to lecture attendees.

Location: Tagliatela Academic Center on the main campus of Albertus Magnus College
GPS location: 303 Huntington Street, New Haven, CT - Ample parking is available on campus.

$10 in advance and $15 at the door. Open to the public. Free for all Albertus Magnus College students, staff and faculty.

To register in advance and pre-pay, please send a check made payable to: Albertus Magnus College
Mail to: Lisa Furman. Albertus Magnus College, Master of Arts in Art Therapy Program, 700 Prospect Street, New Haven, Ct 06511.

For more information or to register via email contact Cindy O'Brien at cobrien1@albertus.edu or call (203) 773-6998.