Editor's Note
Sarah Gysin MA, RP (Qualifying)
Ottawa, ON
Autumn is truly my favourite season. The leaves already began to change in September this year, but during the beginning of October they were at their peak—where a walk outside or a hike in the forest promised brilliant reds, bright oranges, and warm yellows. There is so much to love about the colours, the crispness of the air, the rustling and crunching. As the weather gets cooler and we settle in for the rest of the year, shorts and flip-flops are exchanged for chunky scarves and sweaters, warm drinks come back in style after a summer of iced beverages, and for many of us, the school year begins once more. There is a noticeable shift in energy as some of us are slowing down and getting back into our routines, and others are coming out of a sunny summer rest feeling ready to take on the rest of the year.
The theme of our magazine this issue, Art as Action, speaks to the ways we use art as a medium to engage us in moments of action: to incite social change, to share knowledge with others, to provide a voice for those often unheard, to deliver a message of solidarity, or to simply propel us forward toward a feeling, goal, or space. This issue, we invited art therapists to share stories of how they use artmaking as a tool for action or have witnessed the impact art-making can have in their clients and community as a way of stirring, drawing out and forward, or instilling motion—whether on a personal level or a systemic one.
Our art gallery this issue features works that speak of art-making as a tool for recovery, for processing, for healing and dismantling negative belief systems, and way for us to embrace change, play, and re-invention. Further along in this issue, our contributors share different perspectives on the importance of art-making as a tool for intergenerational and interspatial connection, emotional intelligence and regulation, and transformational awareness as therapist and client.
We were also fortunate to share space with LIFE as Medicine team, an Indigenous circle of creative and expressive arts therapists providing collaborative, relational and transformative creative experiences for Indigenous people, communities, and allies. Their interview speaks about their current and upcoming workshops, and a reflection on the recent ReMatriation workshop held on October 22nd as a part of the recent CATA symposium. Further on, the articles in this issue also engage with art-making as a tool for compassion and gratitude, and a way for us to share and reconnect with our autonomy, with our voice and our choice.
Much gratitude to all to have shared their words, works, and presence with us for this issue, as well as our readers. This magazine would not exist without the collaboration and contribution of you all, our art therapy community. If you are interested in contributing your work for next issue in Winter 2023, please check out our submission guidelines here.
