ART THERAPY AUSTIN

East Austin Studio Tour -Happening #159

11/7/2018

This weekend, Nov. 10 & 11, marks the 15th year Art Therapy Austin (ATA) will participate in the East Austin Studio Tour (EAST)! Listed as “#159 Happening” in hardcover or online EAST catalogs/maps, we are open 11am-6pm, both Saturday & Sunday.
http://east.bigmedium.org/part/part_159.html

Joining artist, art therapist, and owner Deanna Miesch this year will be Eric Jackson (ceramicist), Jacqueline May (encaustic art), and Charles Medlock (visionary painting).

Fresh-off a successful Kickstarter Campaign, Artist, Art Therapist, and owner Deanna Miesch will show new photographs from the UK and have a preview sample of her new photography book, "Deanna Miesch - Collected Works- Volume I: Thirty Years of Photography.” Pre-orders of the book can be placed during your visit to ATA (again, #159 in the EAST catalog).

Three additional artists will grace the ATA studio gallery this year:
Eric Jackson (Texas Medicine Pottery), master ceramicist, exhibits his examples of the rare “Cat’s Eye” luster glaze;
Jacqueline May, gifted Austin artist, presents a timeless array of new encaustic paintings; and,
Charles Medlock, local painter and visionary, shows a select set of his expressionistic landscape paintings.
We are so lucky & blessed that these artists are exhibiting their work in our studio gallery, and will be present both days to talk about their work.

Sunday 11/11 from 1-4pm, Ty Gill, Sam Taylor, and Thomas Shaw will bring a fusion of jazz, world beat, and just good songwriting to the studio gallery.

Catalogs & maps at Austin Public Library branches. There's even an app if you prefer. Free & family friendly event!

Click here for our Facebook event!
Click here for our listing on the tour: Happening #159
Click here for the tour: http://east.bigmedium.org/index.html

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Changes coming...

4/30/2017

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Art Therapy Austin will be undergoing some badly needed renovations and repairs in the coming months. Deanna Miesch, owner will still be practicing out of the studio, and work will be done on days she is not seeing clients. Deann Acton and Shannon Mekuly have moved to a new nearby location, TBA.

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"Make a Record!" Fundraiser for SIMS at Art Therapy Austin #156 East Austin Studio Tour

11/3/2016

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“Make a Record!” Fundraiser for the SIMS Foundation:
Art Therapy Austin and artists collaborated to create artwork on vinyl records donated by D.R.A.W. (Diverting Resources for Artistic Works). Each record will be on silent auction during the East Austin Studio Tour. Bidding closes at 6:30pm on the final day 11/20/16! Bid on Art Records made by Austin musicians, artists, & the community!

Schedule:
Sat 11/12    Open from 11am-6pm; Art Record Bidding begins!
       Live music from Love Child & the Rhythm Method 4pm-6pm

Sun 11/13   Open from 11am-6pm
       Spontaneous Music throughout the day!

Sat 11/19   Open from 11am-6pm
       Live music from One Note Jazz Trio 4pm-6pm

Sun 11/20   Open from 11am-6pm
       Closing reception 4pm-7pm
       Live music from Tyler Mac Gill & Friends 5:30pm-6:30pm
       Art bidding ends at 6:30pm!

In addition, Art Therapy Austin founder Deanna Miesch, and Art Therapists Deann Acton and Shannon Mekuly will exhibit their own inspiring works during the tour.

image credit: Melanie Hickerson ©2016 “Untitled”, acrylic on vinyl. on sale at the EAST Group Exhibit at 2823 E. MLK Blvd with proceeds benefitting the SIMS Foundation & BIG MEDIUM!

Free EAST Catalogs and map books are available at Austin Public Libraries!

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"Make a Record!" Art Making & Art Sale benefitting the SIMS Foundation

8/3/2016

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All of the Art Therapists here at Art Therapy Austin are SIMS Foundation providers and we are very excited to be able to put together a fundraiser for this beloved organization which supports Austin area musicians, music industry professionals and their families. We will be holding a series of art making workshops where anyone can come to make art which they can either keep or donate to the art sale we will hold during the EAST Austin Studio Tour. What better materials to use for the task at hand than donated vinyl records from the City of Austin's D.R.A.W. program (Diverting Resources for Artistic Works)! We'll have acrylic paint and collage materials for participants to use. All participants are welcome. Suggested donation is $10 and all proceeds benefit SIMS, but any donation is appreciated.

Saturday, September 10th 2-4pm
Saturday, October 22nd, 2-4pm

Anyone is welcome to donate their own "Record" to the art sale. If you would like to pick up one or more records to create on your own time, and are unable to make one of the above dates, please feel free to emailarttherapyaustin@gmail.com or call Deanna at 512-699-4811 to arrange a day/time to pick up materials.

We will exhibit all the records created during the East Austin Studio Tour. EAST dates are Saturday & Sunday November 12-13th, and Saturday & Sunday November 19-20th from 11am-6pm each day. All proceeds from the record sales will be donated to the SIMS Foundation. Please help us help The SIMS Foundation!
In addition, Deanna Miesch, Shannon Mekuly & Deann Acton will be exhibiting their own art in their studios during the tour as well.

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Art Therapy Austin feature in UT Daily Texan

2/1/2016

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Art Therapy Austin was honored to be featured in The University of Texas at Austin's Daily Texan. Here's a link to the story:
http://www.dailytexanonline.com/2016/01/29/ut-alumni-foster-creativity-healing-at-art-therapy-austin

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EAST 2015

10/29/2015

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It's that time again! The EAST AUSTIN STOUR TOUR! Art Therapy Austin #440 -Community Art Interactive! Saturday, November 14th, 1-3 pm
www.eastaustinstudiotour.com

Deanna Miesch, Deann Acton & Shannon Mekuly will present new work. Deann Acton #194 will be here for the full tour, both weekends, November 14, 15, 21, & 22nd from 11-6 pm. Deanna Miesch will be here all day on Saturday, November 14th from 11-6 pm.

We'll be hosting an Open House on the first day of the tour as well, from 4-6pm. All are welcome. It's a great time to meet all the Art Therapists, Deanna, Deann & Shannon, in a fun and festive gathering!

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Nature & Felting Therapy 101 for Media/life overwhelm-or how to avoid a blog post

3/24/2015

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     I'm finally doing it! I can't blame the server, my dishes, my vacation (How about that spring break, Austin?), or the eyelash I somehow got out of my eye! Or did I? Doesn't everyone start a blog critiquing themselves for not having done one sooner? I'll get it out of the way and do what I may.
     I must confess. I did need a vacation! And the blog waited. We welcomed an old friend, who just happens to be a lovely art therapist friend from graduate school (School of the Art Institute of Chicago alums in 1994-6 ). We enjoyed lovely dinners at home, hiked the green belt, the botanical gardens, canoed Lady Bird Lake and had a lovely Thursday on South Congress for SXSCongress. The weather pleasantly surprised me as I anticipated the rains that finally came on Friday as I drove my friend to the airport. She missed the carpets of bluebonnets that I saw today, but saw a handful of them as they first emerged. She smelled the peach irises (yes, they smell like a peach) and caught a meteor in the backyard, but missed the largest showing of peach irises I have yet been blessed with in my backyard. We all know 70 degrees won't stick around for too long. Doesn't that sound like more fun than writing a blog?
     There are limits to what we can absorb. When nature calls, and I don't mean the WC, I find my life is generally more pleasant when I give in to that hike, or (hopefully soon for my garden's sake) the gardening. Perhaps I am letting go of negative electronic garbage I happen to be carrying around. Resetting my tolerance clock for dealing with the world.
     My tolerance rates for media seem to fluctuate with how much I need to do it. If I really need to do it, I will do it, but I'm not necessarily happy about it. Not until the numbing seduction kicks in. If I don't need to do it, (and I'm left to my own devices) I can find myself losing time in the i-you-know-whats. So, I do what I can.   We have our rules. No tv. Movies occasionally.   You'd be surprised how much media can take up art making time! The only thing I miss from tv is Jim Spencer's weather reports, to be honest.
     Is there an answer to media overload? Something that's fun, easy, never wrong, endlessly creative? Felting. Handwork. Using your hands in coordinated movements that your brain more or less controls. Wet felting a purse? How is that therapeutic? By Jove, that's the million dollar question. It's meditation creation combined with a workout. That's right. And your hands will be really clean! And you'll have a purse for your ipad, so you can make it comfy and convenient when you need to talk yourself out of getting online or media-fried, as we say down in these parts. Or fill it with flowers from your hike. It's a challenge and a skill--making something from natural, beautifully dyed wools (that no animal died for). You'll even feel like you're on the farm when you close your eyes and smell. (It's actually pleasant. :))
     I had plans to spruce up my first felted bad with buttons. I'll get to it at some point. It's a nice feeling to own and use something I made with my own hands. Loving all the little imperfections in my bag mirrors loving all my little imperfections. It's quirky and fun and will fall apart at some point--just like me. But each time I work with felt, I get a little better, which makes the process rewarding. Failed experiments one day will be used in a new, unimaginable way later. Or not. But the process is worthwhile regardless.
     This week, we have a lot of events! Deann is starting her new Women's group (the wait list grows!), on Wednesday 11:30-1pm, we have a free community talk/lunchtime $20 ceu's for therapists (which I'll be hosting on EFT & Art making), on Friday, we'll be participating for the first time with the East End 4th Fridays by hosting our Open Studio.    I'll be making wet felted purses this coming Saturday, March 28th from 10 am- 1:30pm. There's still room because I've been goofing off, as you can see, and haven't been marketing. It looks like a good forecast, but you'll have plenty of day left after to enjoy it. Join me!

Artful Life: Spring Felted Totes

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My Personal felting history

3/24/2015

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My future retired artist puppet takes a break. Yes, I do dream of making art all day, every day...

Fun, easy, making anything conceivable, colorful, tactile-y satisfying, soft (that’s right--wool can actually be soft!), meditative...
Can you tell I am hooked?
I was first introduced to felt when I toured the Austin Waldorf School. My friend, Bridget actually taught my daughter and I how to wet felt on my kitchen floor during a playdate. I believe our kids were about 4 or 5 years old. She began dry felting puppets and once I saw the results, I realized I had a new medium. Dry felting enabled so much more control and ability to add detail, at least to my less than skilled wet felting hands! Since then, I’ve made dolls, puppets, masks & hats. I’ve introduced the medium to many of my individual clients and led workshops with adults. I felt in chairs, on the sofa, the chaise, in bed (yes, I’m very careful with my needles! and I’m a good sleeper!). It helps clear my mind. A failed hat may become a purse--we’ll see. Now, if I can just stay clear of the moths, I’ll be just fine. Below is a sampling of my felting experiences:

Left: The “Super Cats & Muki”, inspired by my husband’s stories he has told our daughter since birth about our cats. They have since passed away, thus they sprouted wings. Middle: "Muki" , our family friend's dog , and some funny dolls I made with my daughter. Right: The flamenco dancer and owl in the hollow.

L& M: The reverse-able hat. Right: Hat making workshop! It's exciting to see how everyone's creative self emerges!

L: The Marie Antoinette chapeau. M & R: Dry felted hats get wet felted. While they shrink and are a little less cozy/soft, they're a lot more durable!

The evolution of a very cosy, but oversized hat to what I've dubbed "The blur". Doesn't it look like I'm running really fast?

L & M: The making of an eagle mask. R: The Eagle & intern, Sarah's Day of the Dead Masks.

L: The eagle, fox, and wise Chinese ghost, in various stages of completion. M: A wolf, giraffe and an armadillo walk into a bar... . Fun times at a mask making workshop. R: The wolf is finished! Great job!

The evolution of a “Ghost lady” mask I created for local Puppeteers, Trouble Puppet Theatre Company’s fundraiser. www.troublepuppet.com

I love my slippers.

The "art" begins! The start of a felt relief mural, with some help from interns, Jennifer and Youhjung.

Details...

I'm not sure when I'll "finish" this. Perhaps never. Or, it will just grow bigger! It's fun to see it change over time and I've always enjoyed the scale--it feels like I can step inside and become a part of the piece. Playing between two and three dimensions is something I've always yearned to do. It's definitely easier to work on this piece now that I have acquired enough "eco-friendly" furniture foam, which I mounted on the wall. It's pricey, so it took a few sales at the fabric store!

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January News!

1/8/2015

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New Year, new beginnings and lots of new and exciting things happening at Art Therapy Austin. We are super excited about this year and hope that you will join us in making it a year full of creativity and health. We have updated our website, as well as our newsletter and are adding new exciting services in 2015!

One big piece of news is that we will be hosting an Open House!
Saturday, January 24th, 4-6 pm
So please join us in welcoming our newest resident Art Therapists, Deann Acton & Shannon Mekuly to Art Therapy Austin! We'll have beautiful art, hors d'oeuvres, and drinks to share! You can even make some art to take home! Please click on the button below to RSVP!

RSVP on facebook!

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Site Archive

1/8/2015

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Even though we are updating our site, we didn't want to lose all of our archived news! We will be posting more blog updates in the near future... but here are the archived updates.

Fall 2014
Have you been to Art Therapy Austin before and enjoyed your experience? Consider leaving a positive review on Art Therapy Austin's YELP page: http://www.yelp.com/biz/art-therapy-austin-austin. Help someone else take the next step to change their world!

Art Therapy Austin is happy to welcome Deann Acton, LMFT. Deann recently moved back to Austin from the San Francisco Bay Area. Deann brings extensive experience working with children, teens, and adults.    She also has experience as an educator- teaching at two universities in California: Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont, California and Dominican University in San Rafael, California. Deann received a dual masters degree in Marriage Family Therapy and Art Therapy in 1998. While living in California, she received her board certification as an art therapist from the American Association of Art Therapists in 2007.

Summer 2014
Art Therapy Austin welcomes Shannon Mekuly, LPC, ATR. Shannon also offers group therapy at Shoal Creek Hospital and McCallum Place Eating Disorder Center.

This summer, the American Art Therapy Association will be holding their 45th Annual conference in San Antonio! The conference runs from July 9-13th. Advanced registration ends May 30th, so don't dawdle! If you are interested in becoming an Art Therapist, this is a rare opportunity to soak up as much Art Therapy as you can! Here's the link:  http://www.arttherapyconference.com/

April 2014
Austin Ashiatsu has expanded and moved just around the corner from Art Therapy Austin. We will miss them! But being so close, it's still very convenient for clients to have both Art Therapy services here and take a super short drive or stroll to 1306 E. 7th St. It also means that Art Therapy Austin has room for expansion. We are looking forward to Art Therapist Extraordinaire, Deann Acton joining the practice in summer of 2014, so stay tuned!

February 2013
Deanna Miesch hosted another workshop at the University of Texas at Austin 2/21/13 from 5:30-7:30pm for current & UT alumni interested in pursuing Art Therapy as a career. There was pizza, The Ullman Art Therapy Assessment, case presentations and it was followed by Q & A. It was a pleasure to meet so many fresh faces and future ART THERAPISTS! Take a look at the events Facebook page.

December 2012
Art Therapy Austin participated in a friendly “competition” as part of the Austin Independent Business Alliance (AIBA) Holiday Window Shopping Contest. Our lovely neighbor, Blake Shanley at Tiny Taiga beat us out in the East End IBIZ District. Maybe next year!

Gotham Street Diaries
Art Therapy Austin has a brief mention in a local blog: www.gothamstreetdiaries.com. Check it out!

November 11, 2012
Deanna opened her doors once again for the East Austin Studio Tour, listed in the catalog as “Happening #16”. Special guest artist, Brooke MacKenzie showed paintings and drawings (www.brookemackenzie.com) and Deanna presented new work and work from her collection. PBS also stopped in for an interview, as part of their special show on the arts in Austin:. Check out some of the archive interviews from 2010 & 2011:www.klru.org/collective. The most recent interview, from 2012, can be watched here:
http://www.klru.org/collective/clip/art-therapy-austin/

The tour ran from November 10-November 18th. http://www.eastaustinstudiotour.com/

November 4, 2012
Art Therapy Austin is a proud sponsor of KUT 90.5 FM’s donor wall in their new facility.

August 1, 2012
Deanna is featured in a new video about the East End IBIZ District! Watch it here!

Deanna Miesch will be a guest lecturer once again, in Spring 2013 at Baylor University in Waco, TX. “Medical Humanities 3300: Visual Arts and Healing” it was a ground breaking new course in Spring 2011. Read an article about the course in the Baylor Lariat.

Deanna Miesch led workshops, “Art in the Garden” at her studio in 2009 and 2010 for Safe Place leading up to their “Celebrating the Survivor Spirit”. “Celebrating the Survivor Spirit” is “an evening dedicated to the resiliency of survivors of sexual violence, offering a space for survivors and their allies to raise voices, share visions and celebrate healing.”

Check out Suzanne Dulany’s Blog, featuring a collage/poem by Deanna Miesch.

NEWS about Art Therapy
Summer 2014
The American Art Therapy Association will host the 44th Annual conference in Seattle, WA. and the 45th Annual conference in our own backyard in San Antonio, TX! I’ll post more information as it arises!

• Are you interested in Art Therapy as a profession? Join me on Sunday, September 14, 2014 for a 4 hour Workshop to get acquainted with the field ($55). See Trainings in the menu for more info.

• You can also check out a "Ning" site I created to connect with art therapists, dance therapists, expressive therapists, music therapists, and artists interested in social change in the Austin area. http://artstherapyaustin.ning.com/

ART THERAPY IN TREATMENT LINKS

www.mesothelioma.com
Individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer are now using art therapy as a way to promote healing and reduce stress and anxiety during cancer treatment. Search “art therapy” on the mesothelioma website for information.

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East Austin Studio Tour -Happening #159

Changes coming...

"Make a Record!" Fundraiser for SIMS at Art Therapy Austin #156 East Austin Studio Tour

"Make a Record!" Art Making & Art Sale benefitting the SIMS Foundation

Art Therapy Austin feature in UT Daily Texan

EAST 2015

Nature & Felting Therapy 101 for Media/life overwhelm-or how to avoid a blog post

My Personal felting history

January News!

Site Archive

Art Therapy Austin

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