A R TS S C U LTU R E
Art as an emotional escape
STORY BY LAURA CANIDA
STAFF WRtTtER
“The Unknown” by Kellette Elliott was created
when her mother received a serious cancer
diagnosis in July 2018.
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Kellette Elliott was first exposed to art therapy at' college in Virginia,
but leaned on it heavily when her mom was diagnosed with cancer.
“ I would take art students from the college to work with the kids
who suffered or witnessed abuse,” said Elliott, an artist and art
teacher at Clackamas High School. “ We made arts and crafts,
poke with them and bonded with them. To see the power
of art and healing was priceless.”
Today, Elliott uses some of that experience to help
high school students, and advocates for art to help
struggles among college students and working adults
as well.
Art therapy is an integrative m entalhealth and
human services profession that can help people
express their feelings through art rather than
words, according to the American Art Therapy
association.
According to Kristine Bella, an instructor and
; clinical coordinator for the art therapy program
at Lewis & Clark College, art therapy can be used
in many ways.
“ Whether brief or longer term, art therapy
services on college campuses offer a means of
responding to the diverse needs of students,”
Bella wrote in an email. “ Art therapists are able
to work with, students to address concerns relating
HP to academ ics, stress, pnxiety, confidence, social
difficulties or any emotional struggle a student may
■r be experiencing.”
The process offers a safe and confidential outlet through
the art making process, Bella said. Individuals do not need
to be artists to benefit.
“ I am continually impressed with the power of art therapy and
how art therapists are able to assist people in finding health and
healing through the creative process,” Bella said.
Elliott said she uses art therapy not just in her classrooms.
“ This past summer, my mom was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer,”
she said. “ Art was a regular practice in my life, but I knew I had to
continue this practice to cope with my mom’ s decline in health.
Each day, I created art, and shared the art with her over text
meSsage< She loved it! I made pieces abotit her and pur relationship.
She said she looked forward to it each day. As my mom went
into hospice and her days were numbered. I saw how my art was
changing. It was more explosive, darker, but th a t’ s how I was
coping With her sickness. ”
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