January, 2009
EMI Receives Grant from the Roy A. Hunt Foundation

EMI has received a grant from the Roy A. Hunt Foundation to cover part of the costs involved in the replication, packaging, and dissemination of 8 new and revised DVD's. This grant will allow EMI to do a better job of marketing and distributing our work.

January, 2009
Ellie Teaches Child Psychiatrists

Although she has taught and supervised Child Psychiatry Residents and Fellows at the University of Pittsburgh for many years, in January Ellie will be teaching a 12 week course in Early Child Development and Child Play Therapy.

November, 2008
“Digitalia: the 2008 AATA Film Festival”

On November 22, Judy coordinated a Film Festival at the Annual Conference of the American Art Therapy Association. Presentations by 10 art therapist filmmakers focused on ways art of using different kinds of software, the internet, and the premiere of a several new films by those participating. The Art Therapist Filmmaker Group agreed to continue in the future.

November, 2008
EMI Brings Out 8 New DVD’s

EMI presented its 2009 catalog with 8 new DVD’s at a Booth staffed by Barry Cohen, EMI Executive Director, at the AATA Conference in Cleveland. All of EMI’s films have been revised and remastered with 2 new releases. Each DVD has a filmed Introduction by Judy or Ellie plus Added Features on the topic.

October, 2008
“Faces” has its Australian Premiere

During a two-day Seminar and Workshop in the Blue Mountains of Australia, Judy showed “Faces” to an audience of psychotherapists, educators, and artists who attended a two-day Seminar on “Artful Therapy.” “Beyond Words” was shown during a one-day presentation for a Training Course in Sydney.

October, 2008
Child Life Workers Trained & Filmed

As component of a film funded by the Staunton Farm and Fine Foundations
of Pittsburgh, Judy and Ellie conducted a morning Training Workshop with Senior members of the Child Life Department of Children’s Hospital in the use of both art and drama with medically ill youngsters. Staff members were then filmed in supervised art and drama sessions in patient rooms in the afternoon.

September, 2008
EMI Names New Executive Director

EMI is pleased to announce the hiring of Barry M. Cohen, M.A., ATR-BC as our new part-time Executive Director. Barry, an art therapist, comes to the position with a unique combination of skills and experience, having already had successful careers as a hospital Program Director, Director of Expressive Therapies, and entrepreneur. He has published several books and a number of chapters and articles on clinical and research topics. With 30 years of clinical and 20 years of business experience, Barry is a great fit with EMI, and we look forward to working with him.

September, 2008
Ellie Coordinates Preschool Consultation Program

As Chair of Child Analysis at the Pittsburgh Psychoanalytic Center, Ellie organized and coordinates year-long regular mental health consultation to three preschools. The outreach is funded by a local foundation focusing on the needs of mothers and young children. The project is modeled on a preschool consultation program pioneered at the Hannah Perkins School.

May - August 2008
Filming Art Therapy in Schools & Clinics

From May through August, filming took place in Pittsburgh and Mt. Lebanon for “Creative Healing in Mental Health.” Filming included two sessions of an art therapy program in the Mt. Lebanon Public Schools, a drama/movement therapy workshop at Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic, and a drama therapy group for teenagers at a local community center.

April, 2008
“Faces” at BIG Arts on Sanibel Island

In April, Judy showed “Faces” for the first time to a non-professional audience of educated adults interested in the arts and healing. After the film, there was a panel discussion of people from the Sanibel area about their work in places like Lee Memorial Hospital and local shelters. One followup activity was an article about Judy and art therapy to be published in Glamour Magazine.

April, 2008
“Beyond Words” in SAH Film Festival

In April, Judy presented a shortened version of “Beyond Words: Art Therapy with Older Adults” as one of the pieces selected for the first Film Festival at the Conference of the Society for the Arts in Healthcare in Philadelphia, PA.

March, 2008
EMI Receives Grant from the Fine Foundation

In March, 2008, EMI received a grant from the Fine Foundation to cover costs involved in the making of “Creative Healing in Mental Health,” a Film and Study Guide for the education of professionals in the use of art and drama in therapy.

February, 2008
“Faces” at Florida State University

In February, Judy showed “Faces” in Tallahassee, Florida, sponsored by the Florida State University Student Art Therapy Association. The following day’s seminar/workshop included films on “Art Therapy for those with Disabilities.”

January, 2008
Filming of NC Artists in their Studios

In January, Judy, Henry, Ariel Schulman, and Doug Emmett visited three North Carolina artists in their studios and work spaces. One is a painter, Gayle Stott Lowry; one is a writer, Lucy Daniels; and the other is a musician, poet photographer, writer, and creator of videos. They also filmed the building and activities at the Lucy Daniels Foundation, which is funding the film project.

December, 2007
EMI Awarded Grant by the Staunton Farm Foundation

EMI has received funding from the Staunton Farm Foundation to produce a film on “Creative Healing in Mental Health: Assessment & Therapy through Art & Drama.” Work on this training film and study guide will begin in January of 2008 in partnership with selected institutions in Southwestern Pennsylvania.

December, 2007
Filming of NY Artists in their Studios

Thanks to the support of the Lucy Daniels Foundation, Judy and Henry Joost of Supermarche, along with two other cinematographers, were able to visit four artists in their New York studios. Helene Brandt, Greg Lindquist, Ann McKay and Michael Zansky graciously welcomed the filmmakers. Editing has begun on the second draft of “Art, Analysis & the Creative Spirit.”

November, 2007
Art Therapist Filmmakers Group Initiated

At the AATA Conference in Albuquerque, Andrea Tree, art therapist and filmmaker, agreed to be the Coordinator of a new interest group for art therapists who want to make films. Twenty-three people signed up at the meeting, and others will be invited. A website and listserv are being developed.

November, 2007
Judy Hosts Film Festival at AATA Conference

In November, Judy was invited by the Program Chair of the American Art Therapy Association Conference to host a two-hour Film Festival at which she showed first drafts of “In Living Color: Art Therapy Pioneers” sponsored by the Multicultural Committee of AATA, and “Architects of Art Therapy: The Movie” about the Honorary Life Members of AATA.

September, 2007
"Faces" Shown & International Film Launched in Estonia

In September, Ellie and Judy went to Tallinn, Estonia, for the 9th Conference of the European Consortium of Arts Therapy Educators. Judy showed a short film about art therapy around the world and invited submissions from attendees, handing out a form regarding the international project. "Art Therapy has Many Faces" was also shown.

September, 2007
Judy and Ellie Teach in Berlin

In September, Ellie and Judy offered a one-day seminar and workshop in Berlin for students and professionals. It was organized by Dr. Karin Danneker, Founder and Director of the first Masters degree program in art therapy in Germany at the Kunsthochschule (Art School) of Berlin-Weissensee. A short version of "Art Therapy has Many Faces" was shown.

July, 2007
Judy Teaches in India - "Faces" Shown to Many Audiences

In July, Judy and a colleague joined Sangeeta Prasad of the Prasad Family Foundation in India. They gave day-long seminars in Chennai for art students, educators, therapists, and artists and a presentation in Bangalore at the National Institute of Mental Health & Neurosciences. There were several newspaper articles, television interviews, and interviews for a film on child abuse. "Faces" was included in all sessions.

July, 2007
"Faces"has its Northern California Premiere

In July, Judy was the keynote speaker for a Conference sponsored by the Northern California Art Therapy Association and Notre Dame de Namur University near San Francisco. "Art Therapy has Many Faces" had its North California premiere on Friday evening and many copies were sold.

June, 2007
Asia Pacific Art Therapy Center Advisory Board Meets

In June, representatives of the Asia Pacific Art Therapy Center including the President of Burapha University came from Thailand to meet with professors at Columbia School of Public Health and NYU, in order to plan for art therapy training and a Southeast Asian Art Therapy Conference. Judy participated in the meetings as a member of the Advisory Board.

May, 2007
Contract for Chinese Language Version of "Faces"

Expressive Media has signed a contract with the Taiwan Institute of Psychotherapy for the production of "Art Therapy Has Many Faces" with simple and complex Chinese subtitles. The translation is supervised by Dr. Liona Liu, ATR, President of the Taiwan art Therapy Association.

May, 2007
Grant for Preservation of Dance Therapy Footage

EMI has been awarded a grant from the Marian Chace Foundation of the American Dance Therapy Association for the preservation of 16mm film of pioneer dance therapist Penny Lewis, a colleague of Judy and Ellie's. Further funding will be sought to complete "To Move is to Be Alive."

April, 2007
EMI Films Used for Study Group in Osaka, Japan

A number of Japanese art therapists who were unable to attend an October 2006 Conference in Tokyo met with Chie Fudaba, who translated the sound tracks of two EMI films in order to use them in a Study Group.

April, 2007
Grant for Film on Art Therapy Around the World

Expressive Media was awarded a grant from the Prasad Family Foundation for "Art Therapy: A Universal Language for Healing."Art therapists in all continents will be invited to submit footage for possible inclusion in the production, which is meant to inform and to inspire further global action.

March, 2007
"Faces" has its Southeast Asian Premiere

"Art Therapy has Many Faces" had its Southeast Asian premiere at the University of Burapha School of Fine & Applied Arts, in Thailand. While in Bangkok Judy consulted with Dr. Lertsiri Bovornkitti and colleagues regarding plans for art therapy training and a regional conference.

February-March
2007 Debby Trains Teachers at Materials for the Arts

Debby and another artist at Materials for the Arts taught textile collage, textile beads and fabric crochet to educators and crafts people from New York nonprofit arts programs. She was at MFTA's Art Table at Earth Day Celebration in April, helping children create art from re-usable materials.

February, 2007
Debby & Henry Joost Exhibit Photographs of New Orleans

Debby and her son, award-winning filmmaker Henry Joost who edited "Art Therapy has Many Faces," showed photographs of "Two Views of New Orleans" in Millburn, N.J. A notice appeared in the Millburn Item.

January, 2007
"Faces" & "Beyond Words" Shown in Kobe, Japan

Inspired by the October, 2006 Creative Arts Therapy Conference in Tokyo, art therapist Sumire Mori showed both of EMI's recent films at a two day meeting in Kobe, Japan. There was interest in using them for training.

January, 2007
"Faces" has its Philadelphia Premiere

"Art Therapy Has Many Faces" had its Philadelphia premiere at the Annual Conference of the Delaware Valley Art Therapy Association (DVATA) where Judy was Keynote Speaker. She also conducted a Master Supervision, using edited film of her work with an adolescent.

October, 2006
"Faces" & "Beyond Words" in Taipei with Chinese Subtitles

"Art Therapy Has Many Faces" had its Taipei premiere at a showing sponsored by the Taiwan Institute of Psychotherapy (TIP) and the Taiwan Art Therapy Association (TATA). Subtitles for "Faces" were created by TIP and supervised by Professor Liona Lu. Subtitles for "Beyond Words" were created by Instructor Tiffany Tsai.

October, 2006 "Faces" Shown in Seoul & Daegu with Korean Subtitles

"Art Therapy Has Many Faces" had its Korean premiere at a Seminar sponsored by the Korean Expressive Arts Psychotherapy Association (KEAPA). Subtitles were created by Jiyung Nam. It was also shown in Daegu at a Conference of the Korean Art Therapy Association (KATA).

October, 2006 "Faces" Shown in Tokyo with Japanese Subtitles

"Art Therapy Has Many Faces" was shown at the First International Conference on the Creative Arts Therapies in Tokyo, where Judy was a featured speaker. The subtitles were created by Masami Ichikawa.

September, 2006
EMI Receives Grant from the Lucy Daniels Foundation

Expressive Media received a grant from the Lucy Daniels Foundation for "Art, Analysis, and the Creative Spirit" Interviews with artists who had psychoanalytic therapy demonstrate that exploring the inner world can open doors to creativity which allow human beings to fully blossom.

September, 2006
"Faces" has its Irish Premiere

"Art Therapy Has Many Faces" had its U.K. premiere in Belfast Northern Ireland. It was featured as a Plenary Session at the Congress of the International Society for Psychopathology of Expression and Art Therapy (S.I.P.E.) Irene Jakab, M.D., Ph.D. of Harvard University was discussant.

September, 2006
Ellie Chairs Conference on Vulnerable Children & Youth

As head of the Child Analytic Committee, Pittsburgh Psychoanalytic Institute, Ellie chaired a weekend conference on "Understanding and Helping Vulnerable Children and Youth," stressing connections between attachment disorders, shame, school failure, and delinquent behaviors.

Summer, 2006
Debby Organizes the Memory Lane Singers

Debby spent the summer organizing a group of amateur and professional singers and musicians of all ages to visit day and residential programs in NYC for sing-alongs with old folks. The reception has been enthusiastic. The Memory Lane Singers were at the CARE program of the Lenox Hill Neighborhood House September 5th. (memorylanesingers@gmail.com)

July, 2006
Debby at Friends of Materials for the Arts Summer Institute

This was a weeklong training session for teachers, artists and social service personnel on the importance of reuse and arts education. MFTA is one of over 3000 reuse centers, collecting over 740 tons of solid waste a year. It makes materials available to over 3000 nonprofit institutions, service organizations, and the NY public schools (www.mfta.org)

July, 2006
Judy Lectures and Shows Films in Brazil

Judy lectured and presented at an International Conference on Art Therapy in Rio de Janiero. She then showed the film prior to a three-day workshop in Sao Paolo. "Art Therapy Has Many Faces" and "Beyond Words" were both screened, with enthusiastic responses from viewers.

June, 2006
"Beyond Words" Shown at Alzheimer's CARE Program in NYC

Debby showed Judy's film on art therapy with the elderly to the staff of the program who were fascinated. "This gives us so many ideas of what we can do with our Alzheimers' clients." They asked if there was more footage at this remarkable art-filled program run by Elizabeth Hartowicz.

June, 2006
Ellie Completes Term as President at Psychoanalytic Institute

As President of the Pittsburgh Psychoanalytic Society & Institute (PPSI) for the past two years, Ellie coordinated many community programs. Topics ranged from Mother-Infant Communication to Psychological Trauma. Under her leadership, PPSI work with the Pittsburgh Opera on educational programs connected to performances of "Faust" and "Tosca."

May, 2006
Debby Attends Courses at the Foundation Center

In order to assist Expressive Media, Inc. with obtaining support for making future films and for distributing those already made, Debby Slavitt attended workshops, lectures, and courses at the Foundation Center in New York City.

April, 2006
Judy & Debby Consult with Award-Winning Filmmaker

In April, 2006 Judy and Debby attended the Annual Conference of the Society for the Arts in Health Care in Chicago, where they showed a shortened version of "Faces." While there, they consulted with Peter Gilbert, award-winning documentary filmmaker of "Hoop Dreams."

September, 2005
"Faces" Shown in Athens & Crete at International Meeting

"Art Therapy Has Many Faces" was shown at the Arts & Psychotherapy Institute in Athens, Greece; and then to a large number of delegates from all over the world at the meeting of the European Consortium of Arts Therapy Educators in Rethymno, Crete. The response was enthusiastic.

November, 2004
"Art Therapy Has Many Faces" Wins AATA Award

The American Art Therapy Association, which had honored an earlier EMI film "The Green Creature Within" in 1984, gave the Jim Consoli Film & Video Award for 2004 to "Art Therapy Has Many Faces." The film was screened twice during the AATA Annual Conference by popular demand.

October, 2004
Final Version of "Faces" has its Pittsburgh Premiere

At a showing sponsored by the Department of Psychiatry, the Creative & Expressive Arts Therapy Program of Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic and the Pittsburgh Psychoanalytic Institute & Society, the final version of "Art Therapy Has Many Faces" was shown at WPIC in Pittsburgh. It was discussed by psychiatrist Louis Tinnin and art therapist Linda Gantt.

August, 2004
Ellie Honored by the Drama Therapy Association

Ellie gave the Keynote address at the National Association for Drama Therapy and received the Gertrud Schattner Award for her role as a co-founder of the association and as a drama therapy pioneer.

June, 2004
First Overseas Showing of "Art Therapy Has Many Faces"

The European premiere of "Faces" occurred as part of the 30th Anniversary Celebration of the Finnish Art Therapy Association at Lapinlahti Hospital in Helsinki, sponsored by the Association and the University of Helsinki.

June, 2004 Ellie Becomes President of Pittsburgh Psychoanalytic Institute

As the second non-medical person to hold the office, Ellie assumed the Presidency of the Pittsburgh Psychoanalytic Institute & Society after serving two years as President Elect. She is also a Training and Supervising Analyst in both Child and Adult Analysis, and chairs the Child Analysis Program.

June, 2004
"Beyond Words" Given to Lawmakers at Art Exhibit on Capitol Hill

In keeping with the theme "Aging Well, Living Well" of Older Americans Month in May, 2004, the American Art Therapy Association hosted an exhibition of art by older Americans. Lawmakers were given copies of the film "Beyond Words: Art Therapy with Older Adults," commissioned and sponsored by the Legislative Affairs Committee and created by EMI.

May, 2004
Pittsburgh Premiere of "Art Therapy Has Many Faces"

The Pittsburgh premiere of "Art Therapy Has Many Faces" was part of a community training program on "Art Therapy" sponsored by the Office of Educational and Regional Planning, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh. Mental health professionals from the tristate area attended.

March, 2004
Screening of Second Draft of "Faces" at NEATA Conference

A modified version of "Art Therapy Has Many Faces" was shown in Cambridge, MA at Lesley University to the Annual Conference of the New England Art Therapy Association. Suggestions for changes were invited, and were most helpful in developing a more refined version.

October, 2003
Screening of First Draft of "Faces" at AATA Conference

The first public showing of EMI's latest film, "Art Therapy Has Many Faces" took place at the Annual Conference of the American Art Therapy Association. Viewers were asked for critical feedback and gave many excellent suggestions for modifications which were then implemented in the ongoing editing and refining process of developing the film.