arthra
Baha'i
Art therapist believes Art can promote spirituality:
Exhibit features art therapist's work
Thursday, June 12, 2008
By Dave Zuchowski
Andy Starnes/Post-Gazette
Jeri L. Corbin holds one of her paintings, "A View from a Crack in the Hold."
In the late 1950s, North Side artist Jeri Corbin hit on the idea that art could be used as a therapeutic and diagnostic tool for treating people with mental disorders. She considered pursuing a career in art therapy, but when she researched the field in her local library, she couldn't find any information and decided to become an elementary school teacher instead.
After graduating from Kent State University, she taught off and on for 12 years, until her career segued into a three-year stint as a social worker, then another three as an employment counselor.
"It wasn't until 1985, at the age of 50, that I attended a graduate program in art therapy at George Washington University that I realized my 25-year-old dream of being an art therapist," said Ms. Corbin, 74, who is the featured artist in an exhibit titled "Solstice" at the South Arts Gallery in Bethel Park.
After obtaining her master's degree, Ms. Corbin moved to Pittsburgh in 1987 when she took a position as art therapist at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, working with geriatric, schizophrenic and chronically mentally ill patients.
"Art therapy is a psychotherapeutic method that uses art in addition to verbal interplay," Ms. Corbin said. "In an hour, a client, through art, can create a microcosm of their universe and give the therapist clues about such things as coping mechanisms and anger issues. Art therapy helps the client understand their feelings, see where their strengths lie and have a fuller life."
The act of creating or even viewing art also can have a therapeutic effect, Ms. Corbin said.
"There are times when I take a client to a museum to hear what they have to say, which gives me guidelines to their mental state and emotional makeup," she said.
Although not formally trained in the fine arts, she has consistently engaged in some form of artistic expression. In the mid-1970s, for example, she became interested in Oriental painting, which she said "seems to be a natural niche," and she took courses from a Chinese artist in Virginia. After she entered the art therapy segment of her career, though, she put her own art-making on hold until she retired in 1995.
Currently, Ms. Corbin is far from what most people would consider retired. In addition to conducting a small private art therapy practice, she teaches watercolor at South Arts and supervises two art therapists working toward formal registration. Since retiring, she's also taught art therapy part time at Seton Hill University in Greensburg, worked with youth for a year in the art program at the Manchester Craftsmen's Guild and taught art to teachers at Point Park College.
She recently found time to pursue the creation of her own art. The "Solstice" exhibit includes several watercolors that are an attempt to merge the four cultures that influence her life and are relevant to what she calls her "physical and spiritual heritage" -- Oriental, Western, African and Native American.
A member of the Baha'i faith, Ms. Corbin found a personal resonance in the doctrine's basic tenet that sees unity in all things and the oneness of mankind. She discovered the faith in 1963 while reading a book titled "God Passes By" written by Shogi Effendi, considered the guardian of the Baha'i faith. In her readings of other books on the Baha'i, she came across many references to the importance of art to the progress of mankind.
"We believe the arts have a role in promoting the spirituality of mankind. Humanity feeds and nurtures their bodies but woefully neglects to do the same for that part which is truly themselves -- their spirit. Creative activity helps fulfill that purpose,'' she said.
Ms. Corbin has been a member of South Arts for many years and of the Pittsburgh Watercolor Society for about 10 years.
"Jeri usually works in watercolor, employing a variety of techniques to achieve an ethereal quality that reflects her art therapy background," said Margo Barraclough, publicity representative for South Arts. "Her subject matter ranges from joyful interpretations of nature to explorations of her ancestors and the importance of lineage."
"Solstice" runs through July 25 at the South Arts Gallery, 2600 South Park Road, Bethel Park. For more information, call 412-835-9010.
Dave Zuchowski is a freelance writer.
First published on June 12, 2008 at 6:18 am
Source:
Exhibit features art therapist's work
Exhibit features art therapist's work
Thursday, June 12, 2008
By Dave Zuchowski
Andy Starnes/Post-Gazette
Jeri L. Corbin holds one of her paintings, "A View from a Crack in the Hold."
In the late 1950s, North Side artist Jeri Corbin hit on the idea that art could be used as a therapeutic and diagnostic tool for treating people with mental disorders. She considered pursuing a career in art therapy, but when she researched the field in her local library, she couldn't find any information and decided to become an elementary school teacher instead.
After graduating from Kent State University, she taught off and on for 12 years, until her career segued into a three-year stint as a social worker, then another three as an employment counselor.
"It wasn't until 1985, at the age of 50, that I attended a graduate program in art therapy at George Washington University that I realized my 25-year-old dream of being an art therapist," said Ms. Corbin, 74, who is the featured artist in an exhibit titled "Solstice" at the South Arts Gallery in Bethel Park.
After obtaining her master's degree, Ms. Corbin moved to Pittsburgh in 1987 when she took a position as art therapist at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, working with geriatric, schizophrenic and chronically mentally ill patients.
"Art therapy is a psychotherapeutic method that uses art in addition to verbal interplay," Ms. Corbin said. "In an hour, a client, through art, can create a microcosm of their universe and give the therapist clues about such things as coping mechanisms and anger issues. Art therapy helps the client understand their feelings, see where their strengths lie and have a fuller life."
The act of creating or even viewing art also can have a therapeutic effect, Ms. Corbin said.
"There are times when I take a client to a museum to hear what they have to say, which gives me guidelines to their mental state and emotional makeup," she said.
Although not formally trained in the fine arts, she has consistently engaged in some form of artistic expression. In the mid-1970s, for example, she became interested in Oriental painting, which she said "seems to be a natural niche," and she took courses from a Chinese artist in Virginia. After she entered the art therapy segment of her career, though, she put her own art-making on hold until she retired in 1995.
Currently, Ms. Corbin is far from what most people would consider retired. In addition to conducting a small private art therapy practice, she teaches watercolor at South Arts and supervises two art therapists working toward formal registration. Since retiring, she's also taught art therapy part time at Seton Hill University in Greensburg, worked with youth for a year in the art program at the Manchester Craftsmen's Guild and taught art to teachers at Point Park College.
She recently found time to pursue the creation of her own art. The "Solstice" exhibit includes several watercolors that are an attempt to merge the four cultures that influence her life and are relevant to what she calls her "physical and spiritual heritage" -- Oriental, Western, African and Native American.
A member of the Baha'i faith, Ms. Corbin found a personal resonance in the doctrine's basic tenet that sees unity in all things and the oneness of mankind. She discovered the faith in 1963 while reading a book titled "God Passes By" written by Shogi Effendi, considered the guardian of the Baha'i faith. In her readings of other books on the Baha'i, she came across many references to the importance of art to the progress of mankind.
"We believe the arts have a role in promoting the spirituality of mankind. Humanity feeds and nurtures their bodies but woefully neglects to do the same for that part which is truly themselves -- their spirit. Creative activity helps fulfill that purpose,'' she said.
Ms. Corbin has been a member of South Arts for many years and of the Pittsburgh Watercolor Society for about 10 years.
"Jeri usually works in watercolor, employing a variety of techniques to achieve an ethereal quality that reflects her art therapy background," said Margo Barraclough, publicity representative for South Arts. "Her subject matter ranges from joyful interpretations of nature to explorations of her ancestors and the importance of lineage."
"Solstice" runs through July 25 at the South Arts Gallery, 2600 South Park Road, Bethel Park. For more information, call 412-835-9010.
Dave Zuchowski is a freelance writer.
First published on June 12, 2008 at 6:18 am
Source:
Exhibit features art therapist's work
