MA Art Therapy lecture: Art Therapists as Peace Builders

Dr Jordan S. Potash will present an evening lecture to the LASALLE and mental health communities as well as the general public as part of the visiting artist series by LASALLE’s MA Art Therapy programme.
 
Art therapists can draw on the traditions of peace scholars, activists, artists and advocates to enact socially responsive practices. Taking into account both negative peace (violence reduction) and positive peace (justice assurance), art therapists can apply their services to diminishing disputes and tensions while fostering equity and inclusion. For a holistic approach to peace, art therapists can facilitate opportunities for peace in personal, relational, communal and societal arenas.

This presentation will offer an overview of peace-building frameworks with examples from art therapist led projects to demonstrate how art therapists can be partners in peace advocacy.  

Jordan S. Potash, PhD, ATR-BC, REAT, LCPAT (MD) is a registered, board certified, and licensed art therapist, as well as, registered expressive arts therapist (USA). He is Associate Professor in the Art Therapy Graduate Program at The George Washington University in Washington, DC and Honorary Associate Professor at the Centre on Behavioral Health and Department of Social Work and Social Administration, University of Hong Kong. He is primarily interested in the applications of art and art therapy in the service of community development and social change, with an emphasis on reducing stigma, confronting discrimination and promoting cross-cultural relationships. Jordan has presented courses, as well as conference and community lectures and workshops on art and social justice in the US, Hong Kong and Israel. He has also published several book chapters and articles on the topic. Jordan is the Editor-in-Chief of Art Therapy and co-editor of Art Therapy in Asia: To the Bone or Wrapped in Silk (Jessica Kingsley). For more information, view podcasts of past lectures or to view his portfolio, please visit www.jordanpotash.com.