Currently, in the Kresge Gallery in the Insalaco Center for Studio Arts building, there’s a gallery featuring artwork from some Art therapy students. The gallery opened on April 5th, 2025 and it will run until April 30th.
When asked about why she put on the gallery, graduate student and exhibition curator, Jillian Carroll states, “I feel that art therapy is a crucial mental health field, although it is not always regarded as one. Throughout both my undergrad and graduate schooling, I’ve had to answer the “Why art therapy?” question many times. Most people assume art therapists only work with children, and they often view us as the “arts-and-crafts person”. Holding a gallery on campus that is just focused on art therapy as a major brings awareness of us to the Marywood community and reinforces our need to be a profession. My hope is that this gallery will become a tradition and that the Marywood community will continue to learn more about art therapy in the process.”
All the students’ works on view relate to the student art therapist and how they acknowledge their identity. Jillian Carroll, MUSATA (Marywood University Student Art Therapy Association) club President, mentions that “So often in our education, we lose the time to make art for ourselves while preaching the importance of that very self-care activity.”
The gallery features student members of MUSATA, which is made up of both undergraduate and graduate students. Jillian Carroll mentions that “Students were encouraged to submit pieces that they felt like represented themself in some way, whether it be their style or chosen medium, the message of the work, or simply because they liked the piece.“
For example, this pen and ink artwork created by Grace (Kiwi) Werba relates to the feeling of pressure to get better, both mentally and physically.
This mixed media one by Finnley Bright is supposed to represent how you should still create art, regardless of whether it’s “bad” or not.
Overall, I highly recommend checking it out! All of the works there are vastly different from each other, with their own story to tell. As mentioned previously, the exhibition is open daily until the 30th, so make sure you stop by to see the Art of the Student Art Therapist!