Nona Orbach
This week in Israel, art therapists held a conference dedicated to materials. A lecture, a panel, workshops, and an installation of materials remarkably expressed our deep longing to make materials more central to art therapy. We aimed to grant a vast presence and stage to …
During COVID-19, we witnessed a global phenomenon that stemmed from uncertainty and anxiety. It seemed like an almost reflexive need worldwide to impose order in the home environment: organize the wardrobe, sort books and give up a few, organize the pantry, and consolidate the lentils …
In response to the harrowing Pogrom events of October 7, 2023, the Creative Arts Therapies Association of Israel (YAHAT) swiftly established 40 safe studio spaces nationwide for evacuees. Spaces were assembled in hotels, community centers, camping sites, offices, and classrooms. As I write three months …
In response to the horrific Pogrom events of October 7, 2023, the Creative Arts Therapies Association of Israel (YAHAT) has responded by setting up safe studio spaces across the country. Sadly, we are trauma experts – but we have never experienced such a time. Holocaust …
This text is written as Isreal’s democracy is in great danger, 2023. The text is based on my decades of observations and experience as a studio manager. I have created many in education, art therapy, and as an artist. Since the 70ies, when I began …
What is the fine line between intervention and assistance? Like a plant drawn to the sun, humans flourish where there is acceptance and permission to be who they are. I believe this is our fundamental intention as educators, parents, therapists, and friends. We try to …
A toddler asks her kindergarten teacher: what should I draw now? What does her question mean? It seems that she needs help and thinks the correct answer is in the world somewhere, not within herself. Her teacher knows what she should do and not her. …
An architect plans a home. He creates a rough sketch of his idea, then plans ahead the details. As an adult, he already owns the 3D abilities, imagination, and experience to transform a 2D drawing into a building. He can plan his images. When …
Essentially, permission is an experience of allowing, acceptance, and belonging, between two people or parts of oneself. A subtle questioning—Am I allowed to be who I am?—is answered with permission, which creates and permeates the mutual affinity. One’s feelings shift from uncertainty and hesitation to …
What kind of medium are stickers? Stickers are “a type of label: a piece of printed paper, plastic, vinyl, or other material with pressure-sensitive adhesive on one side. They can be used for decoration or functional purposes, depending on the situation. Stickers can come in …