Community Art Installation As An Approach To Art Therapy: A Community Engagement

In this thesis capstone paper, I advocate for a community art installation as an ethical and engaging way to approach art therapy. I argue that this approach may blur the lines between art therapy, art education and arts activism, but it is a powerful and anti-oppressive way to facilitate healing in marginalized communities. I found this approach furthered my understanding of what it means to be a competent and ethical art therapist. I also found it empowered art therapy group members and made them active facilitators of change in their lives and their communities. Observing the success of this project suggests a paradigm shift in approaches to art therapy