Throughout history we have been moved and carried by images that bear great radiance and healing. Art that overcomes the limits of time not only brings comfort and joy but also intricately serves the balancing of our soul forces and leads us to inhabit ourselves anew. In a world where we are continuously urged to abandon the home of our hearts, the significance of art has never been more urgent. Today's art must strive to take hold of the radiance of the spirit that weaves throughout the world and resides in us and between us. Healing and visual art can therefore be addressed as one, and as a task posed both to the educator and the artist alike.

In this focus area, we will establish a foundation for living into color as the soul substance of the world. We will look at the history of pigment, and paint the evolution of consciousness through the cultural epochs in color. This will be accompanied by essential exercises that work with both Goethe and Rudolf Steiner's color research.

We will work with the three-fold human soul nature that lives between the thresholds of light and darkness. The light process may be seen as the nerve thinking process; the darkness as the warmth that lives in our metabolic system, which is, connected to the individual will forces. In between these two, is the rhythmic, breathing and feeling realm that we so much connect to color. The work of Liane Collot d'Herbois will guide us in learning to paint out of an understanding of the laws of light, color, and darkness.

We will develop an understanding of the hindrances or pathologies that may stand in the way of the healthy development and unfoldment of the self. This work will involve seeing the disturbances to the "incarnation path" of children, teenagers or adults in our care. These hindrances may be seen as color gestures that are asking to be freed and brought into health giving movement. Understanding of the laws that permeate the soul can help us develop "new eyes" and new tools both in the classroom, in the therapists' office or for the artist who strives for a more conscious approach to color and the soul.

We will study aspects of anthroposophical physiology and cosmic connections to color and soul to enhance full life-participation. We will work with hygienic eurythmy exercises to strengthen ourselves and address the inner life of the artist and the teacher or therapist.

We will look at the work of artists that have moved us and helped us find our own voices. It will be of integral importance to share individual artistic pursuits and schooling paths.

Participants in this focus area will have the benefit of working with mentors in the field, including other artists, a doctor, an eurythmist and other professionals depending on the research question chosen. Masters projects may include artistic demonstration, a portfolio, as well as academic material. Certain classes may be shared with the Special Education focus group to offer insights from additional specialists.

We expect to draw serious students of art who wish to deepen their work while earning an accredited Masters degree. We also welcome teachers or (art) therapists who are looking to enhance their work and/or to include an artistic schooling. This is a focus area, not a therapeutic degree, although some may want to do further work in that direction after completing their masters at Antioch University. As advisor in this focus area, I will assist in linking up with other organizations and resources, as well as new career options. Anyone completing this focus area will be able to bring added artistic perception and ability to the classroom and their faculty and school as a whole or will have a new foundation for further artistic pursuits.

Karine Munk Finser, MEd, studied with Liane Collot d'Herbois, Dorothea Sunier Pierce and Beppe Assenza and received her Painting Therapy degree from the Medical Section of the Goetheanum in Dornach, Switzerland. She has been a practicing art therapist for over twelve years, working with children and adults and has a private practice in Temple, NH. She is the coordinator for Renewal courses at the Center for Anthroposophy and has been an adjunct at Antioch University New England for the last ten years. She is presently an Associate faculty member at Antioch.

Last Updated: 11/10/08