Sunday, July 5, 2015

Let's Begin! WOOT!

Hello Readers!

     To start off, please excuse my delayed introduction. My name is Andrew Purvis and I’m chugging into my sophomore year at the University of the Arts! I’m majoring in Sculpture but a lot of the time I truly consider myself a multidisciplinary artist that works in all dimensions with many platforms and mediums! I hail from Philadelphia which, I feel, has really influenced me as a person and as an artist overall. The city has kept me eclectic, upbeat, and constantly on my toes—developing fresh ideas delving into exploration. Due to this, my transition and weekly journey to a small, humble clay studio in Collingswood, New Jersey has begun to prove very interesting and quite peaceful (about 2 weeks in). This summer I am participating in the Summer Fellows Program, interning for the wonderfully kind Abbie Kasoff at her nonprofit clay organization Say It With Clay. The studio is located in a quiet, fairly commercial area where the sun always shines and the breeze brings the sweet sound of gentle smiles and happiness, creating stillness and pulsating life simultaneously! Ok, maybe I’m romanticizing it a little bit...but it is an awesome area for the studio!

     The delicate neighborhood falls directly in line with the goals and energy of the studio: 
Say It With Clay has a mission to provide affordable art therapy programs for special needs [and non special needs] individuals of all ages using the unique potential of clay to enhance and advance the psychotherapeutic process. Facilitated work with clay engages sensory, perceptual, emotional, and cognitive channels that allow individuals to reach a deeper understanding of personal experiences. The creative process and the final work of art provide powerful means of communication and propel emotional healing at a quicker pace than verbal therapy alone”.

     The gentle isolated studio gives the participants that come in the chance to really explore emotions that they are feeling. It gives them a space to step away from their everyday life and either have pure fun, or work out a bit of stress and internal issues. Abbie has degrees in both Ceramics and Art Therapy ( from Uarts, woot!) and has worked in the art therapy and social work fields for over 25 years, so she is well qualified to help people produce their artwork and push pass their needs. When you go into the studio and meet her, you feel nothing but a sense of warmth and kindness, a longing to truly help people and give them an outlet (not exaggerating this time, haha). Abbie and the rest of her team, including me, really do their best to have an open spirit. 

     Initially one of the only reasons I was drawn to the internship with Say It With Clay was because I have a fair amount of experience with the medium and it’s something I’m used to. I wasn’t extremely on board with her mission. But now, after having met her and spending a few weeks around her studio, I can say that I see where the ship is heading and I’m right on the deck! I believe that this paring will give me the chance to reflect inwardly. I’ll be forced to examine my values, how I handle my relationships with others, and how I facilitate other’s everyday emotions and needs on a daily basis. I will be exposed to people that I rarely get a chance to interact with and it will be an experience. I’ll truly have a summer of personal growth!


http://www.sayitwithclay.org/

-Until next time, Andi!

7 comments:

  1. Oh Andrew! I think you can add writing to your ever-growing list of talents! This is beautifully written and so full of your joyful charm. I'm really interested to hear about your transformation through this process. From not particularly thinking about or caring about using sculpture this way, and then now embracing the skills and the connections it's giving you to other humans. I'm also interested to hear any particular stories of people that have touched your heart or if this experience inspires future work at all. Hope to see you again soon!

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    1. Hey Maggie! Thanks for your comments. Definitely stay tuned, I have a few stories coming up. :)

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  2. First off, I just want to say that I loved reading your post, it was very well written & fun! Also - I have seen you around school and I love your style. You seem like a very unique individual that I can get behind!
    Anyway, I love everything about this non-profit organization! I was formerly doing the Art Therapy concentration because I love the idea of helping others thru art. I really hope you have an awesome experience at this internship and I can't wait to read more! I'm a bit jealous I'm not in your shoes! I hope this rewards you in ways you did not imagine.

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    1. Thank you so much Skyler! Next time you see me, just say hey haha! As someone that isn't necessarily interested in art therapy or teaching this is an interesting experience. Stay tuned!

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  3. First off, I just want to say that I loved reading your post, it was very well written & fun! Also - I have seen you around school and I love your style. You seem like a very unique individual that I can get behind!
    Anyway, I love everything about this non-profit organization! I was formerly doing the Art Therapy concentration because I love the idea of helping others thru art. I really hope you have an awesome experience at this internship and I can't wait to read more! I'm a bit jealous I'm not in your shoes! I hope this rewards you in ways you did not imagine.

    ReplyDelete
  4. First off, I just want to say that I loved reading your post, it was very well written & fun! Also - I have seen you around school and I love your style. You seem like a very unique individual that I can get behind!
    Anyway, I love everything about this non-profit organization! I was formerly doing the Art Therapy concentration because I love the idea of helping others thru art. I really hope you have an awesome experience at this internship and I can't wait to read more! I'm a bit jealous I'm not in your shoes! I hope this rewards you in ways you did not imagine.

    ReplyDelete