Isn’t it Lovely to Learn and Heal through Art? Special Guest: Lauren Callis
“Art can offer this dialogue that maybe we wouldn’t be able to have if we were just in a conversation. Inherently, artmaking is very therapeutic. We are able to have successes; we’re able to have failures and learn from them. We’re able to have all of these elements that really build this continuum of care…”
Isn’t it Lovely is delighted to kick off Season 6 by welcoming art therapist Lauren Callis to the podcast for a revelatory conversation about self-care, healing, creativity, and so much more! As the co-founder and executive director of Curiosity Studio, Lauren leads both in-person and virtual sessions to help her participants discover information about themselves, while developing empathy, connection, curiosity, and empowerment. Lauren addresses the ways art therapy is a legitimate form of therapy and how it serves as an alternative method of self-discovery and communication to more traditional talk therapy, while also discussing the importance of removing barriers to make art and art therapy more accessible. Lauren encourages listeners not to fear failure, but rather to embrace it as a meaningful part of the creative process, letting go of perfection to build the scaffolding that helps focus on self-identity, relationships, and the greater community. Tracy channels her inner Madonna to pronounce Lauren a Material Girl; Rachel is thrilled at the mention of yarn.
Episode Mentions:
Curiosity Studio Website: https://curiositystudioclass.com/
Curiosity Studio Instagram: @curiositystudio_
Curiosity Studio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CuriosityStudioClass/
Adrienne Maree Brown: https://adriennemareebrown.net/
Pat Allen: https://www.patballen.com/
Laune Bread: https://launebread.com/
What Are You Loving:
Lauren: Worn: A People’s History of Clothing by Sofi Thanhauser
Tracy: Farm fresh eggs and Elite Gourmet Rapid Egg Cooker
Rachel: Lauren Callis
*This episode was recorded in May during Mental Health Awareness Month
Lauren Callis is the co-founder and executive director of Curiosity Studio, as well as an artist and art therapist. Her art practice is in painting, fiber arts, and attempting to bake anything gluten. Curiosity Studio is a creative learning studio that provides programming, virtually and in person, that encourages individuals to play, reflect, and connect with themselves and the world through making. We use an art therapy and trauma informed model that offers tools to incorporate creativity into daily life as a means to tackle difficulties that arise and encourage self and community care.