CORE FACULTY
Denie Whalen, MA in Expressive Arts, CAGS* / Contact Denie
- Licensed Occupational Therapist
- Director of New York Expressive Arts
- Coordinator of the Expressive Arts Therapy Professional Training Program
Denie retains her strong love of language and is delighted to have found the myriad non-verbal languages of expressive arts. For over 20 years, after raising her family, Denie worked as an Occupational Therapist, which gives her a unique understanding of how the arts are embodied in our daily life. After obtaining a MA and CAGS at the European Graduate School, she became the Director of New York Expressive Arts, formerly, Glass Lake Studio and coordinator of the training programs. She has found that her painting becomes more alive when she writes and her writing becomes more colorful when she paints, pointing to the power of the interdisciplinary play of the arts, the very essence of expressive arts. She imagines a world where there is no special word for art, where everyone creates art everyday, where “artist” does not describe a professional category but a way of being in the world
Rebekah Lancto Near, CAGS,* LCAT
Rebekah Near is a licensed creative arts therapist (LCAT) in the state of New York. She earned a Master’s of Science degree in art therapy/ mental health counseling from Springfield College and received her certificate of advanced graduate studies (CAGS) from the European Graduate School where she is currently pursuing her PhD in expressive arts therapy. Her focus is on how expressive arts therapy can impact the grieving process with children/ adolescents who are dying and/or bereaved, as well as their families. Rebekah developed The Art 2 Heart Project – transforming grief through the arts. Rebekah also facilitates expressive arts at the Community Expressive Arts Project at Bard College and New York Expressive Arts. Rebekah believes that unlike any other method the arts offer unique ways of understanding ourselves and the world around us.
——–
Rebekah Windmiller is a Licensed Creative Arts Therapist, Registered Expressive Arts Therapist, and dance artist. Stemming from 25 years of experience as a choreographer, Rebekah work strongly connects artistic practice with the wisdom of the psyche. As the founder of the nycExpressive Arts Studio, she trained M.A. level students and guided professionals to gain licensure. She has worked with a range of adults with mental illness and addiction, taught workshops, lectured and advised students throughout her 10 years of experience. She holds an M.A. and C.A.G.S. from the European Graduate School. Rebekah lives and works in New York City.
*CAGS: Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Expressive Arts Therapy from the European Graduate School
FACILITATORS
Susanna Armbruster, CAGS, Director of Community Expressive Arts Project at Bard College
Steve Podry, CAGS, MA, Counseling Psychology., Leap Literacy Program at Bedford Hills Prison
- NYEA webmaster
Carolee Sherwood, NYEA graduate Carolee
VISITING TRAINERS
During the year, various leaders and pioneers in the field of expressive arts will present open workshops for the community and interested members of the public. Additionally NYEA will sponsor events that present the work of poets and performance artists, Steve Clorfeine and Elizabeth McKim. Events and workshops will be posted on the website as they are scheduled.
Yaacov Naor, Director of ISIS Israel will present Therapeutic Theater and Psychodrama Workshop in 2011 on Saturday and Sunday, October 15 / 16.
