NEWS RELEASE

Contact: David West (west@nsula.edu )
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466

9/28/2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES - An art show created by individuals from Pinecrest Developmental Center is on display in the Reading Room on the second floor of Watson Library at Northwestern State University. The show is titled "Internal Expression-Connecting People through Art." A reception featuring the artists and poets will be held Thursday, October 5, from 6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. in the Reading Room. The public is invited to attend.

The paintings in the exhibit are by individuals who have benefited from working with art therapist Melanie Downs on art therapy through instruction. According to Downs, the body of work encompasses the journey each person is taking to express themselves through art.

"Art therapy is used to encourage personal growth, increase self-understanding and assist in emotional reparation," said Downs. "It is something that can help individuals of all ages create meaning and achieve insight, find relief from overwhelming challenges, emotions or trauma, resolve conflicts, enrich daily life, and achieve an increased sense of well being."

Art can also help individuals communicate with others.

"Art expression is a way to visually communicate thoughts and feelings," said Downs. "The creative process of art making can be healing and life enhancing. It is also a form of nonverbal communication of thoughts and feelings."

Several Northwestern students were able to enhance the paintings by composing poetry expressing what was portrayed in the artwork. Students in an introductory poetry class taught by Assistant Professor of English Dr. Nate Pritts chose a painting to write about. Three poems, one by students Lora Sheppard and Andi McKay, along with a poem by Dr. Pritts, will be published for the reception as take away cards.

The art show is in conjunction with the Second Annual Civil Rights Conference which will be held Oct. 5-6 at the Natchitoches Events Center. Both the exhibition and conference are sponsored by the NSU School of Social Sciences, American Democracy Project, Northwestern's Office of Cultural Diversity, the Student Government Association, and The Real Views newspaper

Two paintings from the show are on display in the Friedman Student Union.

Main Menu