Education
2011 – 14
Ph.D., Humanistic and Transpersonal Psychology, emphasis in Expressive Arts for Healing and Social Change, Saybrook University, San Francisco, CA
Education and training in person-centered expressive arts for healing.
2003 Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Arts, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO
Dean’s List. Education and training in painting, drawing, illustration, and multimedia.
Community Art Experience
2013-Present Alaska Child & Family, Anchorage, AK
Individual, family, group, and expressive arts therapy with children from three to twenty one years old. Clinically supervised the activity therapy department, maintained open communication streams between clients, families, and co-workers. Developed treatment plans and peer reviews. Enhanced agency programming through developing treatment groups and facilitated expressive arts trainings for agency employees.
2013 Kalskag Outreach Project, Alaska Child & Family, Kalskag, AK
Selected as a member of a collaborative outreach effort for rural Alaska funded by AK Child & Family. This outreach took a multifaceted approach to engaging generations of community members in a path towards wellness. Designed and facilitated educational and art-based workshops for high school students on breaking cycles of violence.
2011-Present Gwen Kennedy and Associates
Evolving visual representations for envisioning company goals and plans for implementation. Summits attended: Alaska Public Broadcasting, Inc., Anchorage Concert Association, LGBTQ Anchorage Chapter.
2011-Present Anchorage Community Land Trust
Art for peace and social change projects in Mountain View, Anchorage, AK. Proposed and executed a community mural engaging Mountain View residents on ideas for peace. The mural is 160 ft long and installed on Mountain View Drive.
Designed and painted archways for the Community Gardens at Bragaw for neighborhood beautification.
2012 Boys and Girls Club in Mountain View
Mural creation and research project with children ages 5-17 about problems and solutions for the Mountain View community. Mural is on display at the Boys and Girls Club in Mountain View.
2011 Anchorage’s Promise
Organized community mural project for kids and teens.
Illustration Projects
2013 The Little Potato
Jungian and existential perspective on life development for children and adults.
2012 North Star Behavioral Health Center
Illustrated children’s book about depression and treatment for clients and parents at North Star. Applied knowledge of psychology to create characters that could be informative and relatable to children.
2010 Micah’s Miraculous Mission
Illustrations for psychology-based educational stories. Designed for kids as a tool to facilitate communication between children and adults. Printed by Halo Publishing Co.
2009 Elisha’s Great Mission
Illustrations for psychology-based educational stories. Designed for kids as a tool to facilitate communication between children and adults. Printed by Halo Publishing Co.
2009-10 Illustrations for Eagle River Nature Center
Designed animal illustrations for interpretive panels.
Design Projects
2012 H20 Guides, Alaska Heli Skiing
Graphic designs for the H20 Ski line.
2010- Diabolical Puzzles LLC.
Present Graphic design for laser cut jigsaw puzzles.
Art Shows
2015 Midnight Sun Brewery, Anchorage, AK
First Friday group show/fundraiser for the Alaska Avalanche School
2015 International Gallery of Contemporary Art, Anchorage, AK
First Friday group show
2014 Middle Way Cafe, Anchorage, AK
Second Friday art show
2013 Earth, Fire, and Fibre Juried Exhibition, Anchorage Museum, Anchorage, AK
XXIX Biennial art exhibit
2012 Snow Goose, Anchorage, AK
First Friday art show
2011 SubZero, Anchorage, AK.
First Friday art show
2010 International Gallery of Contemporary Art, Anchorage, AK.
Shelter Project, First Friday art show, group showing.
Art by Aurora 