On Wednesday February 26th Art Therapy Studio Chicago will be offering a post show discussion with panelists Mary Andrus, Willow Messier and Danielle Eichner to discuss Art Therapy and Cancer Treatment.  The show This is Not a Cure for Cancer is presented by Collaboraction Theatre at 1579 N Milwaukee Ave at 7pm. 

Enter the promo code "Create" to get $5 off your ticket price. 



A chance conversation with his dentist during a routine examination inspired Colllaboraction’s Anthony Moseley to create an interactive, live theater experience that examines cancer, its treatment and the way we live. The result, This Is Not a Cure for Cancer, a world premiere co-written by Sarah Illiatovitch-Goldman, debuts Feb. 20-Mar. 30, 2014 at Collaboration.  Bouncing between his dentist office, the inside of his brain and memories with his deceased father, Moseley draws from his personal experience with his father’s battle with cancer as a theatrical lens for a meaning of life dramedy that takes a seriously funny look at cancer, the way we live and the value of life. 
“This is Not a Cure for Cancer is not a play,” explains Moseley. “It’s an interactive, experiential, live art installation that will demystify a terrible disease, leave a theatrical imprint on audiences and change the way they think about cancer and its treatment.”
Collaboraction’s newly renovated performance spaces are located on the third floor of the Flat Iron Arts Building, 1579 N. Milwaukee Ave., in the epicenter of Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood. Tickets are $10-$30, and are on sale now. Student and industry discounts are available with proper ID at the door. For tickets and information, visit collaboration.org or call 312.226.9633.

About the Featured panelists 
Mary Andrus ATR-BC,LCPC is the founder of Art Therapy Studio Chicago where she specializes in treating anxiety, depression, grief and loss, trauma and life changes. In the studio she offers counseling, creativity groups and art making for anyone who wants to use art to better know themselves. She has over 13 years experience, is a past president of the Illinois Art Therapy Association, teaches at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Adler School of Professional Psychology and Benedictine University. She presents locally, regionally and nationally on the importance of keeping a regular art practice in ones life. 
Willow Troy Messier, ATR-BC, CCLS is a registered, board certified art therapist and certified child life specialist at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. For the past 6 years she has provided art therapy services to hematology/oncology patients at the bedside, in the outpatient clinics and in the PICU. She is also on the palliative care team and follows many patients and families referred to that service. She previously provided art therapy services at Kravis Children’s Hospital at Mount Sinai in New York City to pediatric patients and their families. Willow received her BA from Hampshire College in Art and Psychology and her Master’s Degree in Art Therapy from New York University. She is active member with the Illinois Art Therapy Association and supervises art therapy interns from Adler School of Psychology and the School of the Art Institute. In addition to being an art therapist, Willow is also an artist and she loves to make large paintings on canvas. 
Danielle Eichner, LCPC Art Therapist, Advocate Children's Hospital Oak Lawn (2010- present). BFA, 2007, Maryland Institute College of Art; MA AT, 2010, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago; Credentials: Registered Art Therapist; Licensed Professional Counselor.  Presentations: Moving Beyond Grief to Growth, Illinois Art Therapy Association, Creating Possibilities: Art Therapy & Resilience in Contemporary Practice; Don't Forget the Children, Caring for Survivors of Violence; Grief Therapy Groups, Innovations in Pediatric Palliative and Comfort Care; Art Therapy Bereavement Groups Within a Children's Hospital, Mount Mary College Spring Art Therapy Symposium Awards: Special People Award, Special Love Inc.

It's not too late to sign up for the Virtual Art Works Course! Participants will read the book Art Works; How making art illuminates your life, co authored by Don Seiden and Amy Davis. We will connect in a private online group where we will dialogue with one another about the readings, upload and share photos of our latest responses to the weekly exercises, and provide and receive support from the other Art Works Course members. Upon completion of the course participants will be invited to take part in an art exhibit in the Flat Iron Arts Building on a First Friday where the building is open to the public with hundreds of artists showing work. Pictured here are several of the participants from the last Art Works Course, 5 of which completed the online course and submitted work to be a part of the final show. 
One of the benefits of this years course is that it will include online support from the co-authors Don Seiden and Amy Davis. They will be checking in to the group virtually and will provide feedback and engage with the participants throughout the course. 

Learning objectives of this course are:

1.    Gain practical exercises to integrate art making into life and work

2.    Learn how to let go of criticism and allow oneself to play in art making

3.    Examine how art making can deepen everyday experiences.


Click on this link to register today!http://www.art-therapist.org/open-studiocourses.html
To order your copy of the book click here http://www.artworksthebook.com

Why do we share artwork? What is the importance of making art and putting it out there for the world to see? What holds us back from doing so? 
As humans we all face the fear of being viewed or judged by others but we have to find our voice and embrace what is important to each of us in our experience. For me I express it through my artwork. 
This Friday Art Therapy Studio Chicago Ltd is hosting the first Art Works Exhibit featuring 15 artists who completed the last Art Works Course in 2013. I am honored to be able to share my work alongside the fellow artists who are a part of this show. They are: Willow Messier, Sally Giles, Victoria Pietrowski, Alicia Kon, Susan Andrus, Sophie Canade, Jessica Mascenic, Meagan Moller, Tricia Vail, Amy Hahn, Shan Ju-Lin, Nicole Oak Tree and Elizabeth Guest. 
We have each a unique gift to share with the world and it is so important to honor one another's self expression through a shared art show. It gives us something to work toward, something to strive for and something to acknowledge in ourselves and each other. 
Pictured above is a painting I did of my mentor Don Seiden who co-authored the book Art Works with Amy Davis. He is my inspiration for running this course and has helped me to be the docent in empowering others to keep making art and allowing their voices to be heard. I am honored to have the physical space, resources and support to make this possible. I walk through this life hoping to impact others to connect to their creative voice and while doing so they are able to connect with one another and to the human experience through art.