Category: Expressive Arts Therapy

Fyre Jean Graveline and WHEAT student at Saskatchewan summer launch, July 2019
Together, we can take time to shift the stressful energy that we are all currently walking with, through Connection with the Natural World, and ReAwakening all kinds of sensory awarenesses that we have been Gifted, like our Ancestors before us, to attune to Mother Earth.

We have developed a series of diverse and relevant online spring classes to reach out and support individuals and their communities. We are thinking of you during this time of social distancing and life adjustments resulting from the current global health concern.

Meet Kate Donohue

One of the Grandmothers of Expressive Arts, Kate Donohue (Ph.D., REAT) is a licensed psychologist and registered expressive arts therapist who has taught at many international universities. Kate is a co-founder of the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (IEATA) and was awarded the IEATA Shining Star Award in 2005.

WHEAT is the first and only institute of its kind that offers training in both Art Therapy and Expressive Arts on the central Canadian plains. We are thrilled to announce the launch of Art Therapy and Expressive Arts Diploma and Certificate programs in Saskatchewan!

WHEAT invites American and international students to drop in to the magical, sensory world of healing through the arts and discover the arts’ playfulness and transformative power. There are exciting opportunities to train with internationally acclaimed faculty in Winnipeg this summer!

There has been much research exploring the use of the arts with refugees healing from conflict, displacement and trauma. According to the literature, the creative arts therapies (art, music, dance, drama, storytelling and movement) are not only able to connect individuals, but can help promote integration which leads to positive transformation and therapeutic change.

The WHEAT team would like to sincerely thank each and everyone who has supported our work in training art therapists and expressive art therapists in the heart of the prairies! We are excited and honoured to continue our efforts by nurturing the dedication and passion for the therapeutic use of the arts.

What is a Therapeutic Clown?
Therapeutic Clowns Canada is a network of professional therapeutic clown practitioners working in healthcare facilities and communities across Canada. They define a professional therapeutic clown as one who:

·        is specifically trained to work in the health care field

·        abides by a code of ethics

·        is committed to be a regular presence in the health care setting

·        collaborates routinely with other members of the health care team

·        engages in on-going training and development

·        receives appropriate remuneration for the work

"With their focus on the imaginative and the creative, therapeutic clowns offer new opportunities for play and laughter, for self-expression and self-acceptance, for mastery and empowerment, and for moments of tenderness and comfort.

This past Friday, October 19th 2018, WHEAT was present at the MTS PD Day (Manitoba Teachers Society - Professional Development Day) for MART and MSCA - Manitoba Association of Resource Teachers and Manitoba School Counselors Association, respectively.

Thank you to everyone who attended our Culture Days drum circles on September 29th! The sun came out to join us in rhythm and community. We started the afternoon with Val Vint and the Buffalo Gals leading an Indigenous drum circle, followed by African drumming with Jay Stoller and Drum Cafe Winnipeg.