About The Artist

Richard Carolan, Ed.D., ATR-BC

Department Chair, Art Therapy Psychology

Notre Dame de Namur University

Dr. Richard Carolan will display his recent paintings alongside the creations of NDNU art therapy students, faculty, and alumni at the University’s “Annual Art and Art Therapy Exhibit,” July 10 – August 7, 2009.

Richard Carolan’s paintings illustrate the integration of product and process that is fundamental to Art Therapy. Based primarily on environmental or natural motifs the work shifts focus to the process of paint and color becoming the thematic content. Dr. Carolan’s therapy approach involves creating form and structure that that support the emergence of the life fullness of the participant. Similarly, the series of paintings starts with a form that then allows the opportunity of following the fluid process of merging color and forms.

Inside Out: A Synthesis of two worlds: the personal world and the art therapy world.

This exhibit consists of the personal art of Richard Carolan and of NDNU students and the art work resulting from art therapy interventions from courses at NDNU. Both the personal art and the art therapy images result from interior worlds transmitted through various creative processes and media into this outer experience displayed in this Gallery. It is hoped that through this experience of this exhibit that a richer understanding of the significance of art both personally and within the context of a therapeutic relationship could result.

The exhibit will highlight the “Inside Out” of art therapy, incorporating some of the history of art therapy as a field and profession. The show will also highlight artwork created by NDNU students, faculty, and alumni of the Masters of Arts in Art Therapy and Marriage and Family Therapy Program.

The NDNU Art Therapy Psychology Program is recognized as one of the most established and successful programs in the country. As a human services profession based on the belief that the process of making art can be both healing and life enhancing, art therapy provides an opportunity to explore intense or painful thoughts or feelings in a supportive environment.

Richard Carolan has exhibited his work in both the east and west coast. He worked for many years as a stained glass artist, pieces on which he was the craftsman are exhibited in the Ferry Building in San Francisco as well as in Ghirardelli Square. In addition to being a practicing artist, Dr. Carolan is a practicing Psychologist and Board Certified Art Therapist. He has presented internationally and nationally in the field of Art Therapy and has served nationally in the development of the art therapy profession. Additional artwork can be viewed at his website www.drrichardcarolan.com.