Creative Expression Changes Lives at Art Therapy Express

Executive Director Lisa Bartoli
(pictured here at The Gibby Art
Center in Middletown, Delaware)

I first met Lisa Bartoli nearly three years ago at a conference in Wilmington. Lisa bustled into the room, dressed in brightly-colored clothes, wrestling an enormous bag overflowing with stuff. She had a bright smile on her face. I remember thinking, Who is this woman? She's like a burst of sunshine! I soon found out that Lisa is the Executive Director of Art Therapy Express Program, Inc. in Hockessin, Delaware. Little did I know I would have the pleasure of working with Lisa in just a few short years.

For years, Lisa worked with people with disabilities in different medical groups, using art therapy to empower them. In 2003, she established Art Therapy Express Program, Inc., feeling art needed to be accessible to everyone, especially people with disabilities. "My vision is to bring the arts - movement, music, and drama - to everyone, and to give people without verbal communication the chance to communicate with the world." Lisa's program introduces artistic expression at the most basic level, creating a step-by-step process. "It's more about a successful, creative art journey," she says. "The real joy comes when they do [art] themselves... to me, it's like hitting a home run." She loves that art can foster and reinforce personal independence.



Lisa shows an adaptive device used for
holding paintbrushes or pencils



Art changes people. "One of my students with autism has been coming to an evening art therapy class for more than ten years. Her parents are amazed at how she can concentrate on art for an entire hour." Lisa smiles broadly and says, "She is so focused for that hour, she doesn't want to leave! Art draws people in."



Lisa's daughter frequently pitches in



Another student (a TBI survivor) came to the studio after an awful day. "She is nonverbal, and was crying hysterically." The student calmed herself while Lisa started the pottery wheel across the room. "After a few minutes, she came to the wheel, sat down, and put her hands on the clay [as it spun]. Her mother and I watched with tears in our eyes as she put her thumbs into the clay and began to model a bowl," Lisa gushes. They were astounded at her ability with the potter's wheel (something I know is difficult to master), having never touched clay before. "Art is bigger than all of us," Lisa says.



Lisa also bridges communication between people with disabilities and their non-disabled peers, getting them to cooperate on projects. I couldn't help thinking, This is a great strategy to curtail discriminatory behavior at an early age. A brilliant idea, actually, one that could change the world a couple of kids at a time.



New Castle County Community Services provided the space for Lisa to create her adapted art studio at Absalom Jones Community Center. There she holds a Saturday open art studio, evening art therapy, summer art camps, educational in-services, and tours, performances, and experiential workshops. "Art Therapy Express is my canvas," she says with great pride. Lisa's photo album (which she carries with her everywhere) is filled with touching images of her students. I'm struck by the beauty of the children, their eyes lit with excitement and joy. Their smiles are so genuine that I sometimes giggle as I'm paging through the album. Students may need headgear to paint, or be placed in a swing to use their toes. It's no problem. Lisa uses adaptive technology in many different forms, sometimes using household objects like dish scrubbers or makeup brushes.

Lisa has collaborated with the Leach School, The Meadowood Program, REACH Program, Delcastle High School, the University of Delaware and the Delaware Art Museum. Starting this week, the nonprofit begins its newest venture - The BIAD Art Club - with the Brain Injury Association of Delaware (sound familiar?) and Associated Community Talents, Inc., the nonprofit behind The Gibby Art Center in Middletown, Delaware. "We're in this together," I've heard her say many times.

I ask, "So, Lisa, how has serving your community changed your life?" Lisa thinks for a moment, then smiles her one-of-a-kind smile. "I realize how fortunate I am to have a gift to give to the world... Every day's a party."

My Ten Bucks will be used to pay for art supplies: canvases, brushes, and clay. If more people donated their ten bucks, Lisa says she will use it first purchase art supplies, followed by purchasing or creating new adaptive technology. She wants more people to see the power of the program and get involved. She also needs volunteers. "More than anything, I need people to help market the program. We need to let the public know we exist."

There are two ways you can make a donation. 1) Mail it to Art Therapy Express Program, Inc., P.O. Box 1661, Hockessin, DE 19707 or 2) Drop off check at the studio or one of our community outreach programs! Lisa hopes you'll choose option 2. Call ahead to make sure she'll be there. (302) 584-4068. You can learn more about Art Therapy Express at www.arttherapyexpress.org.

My ten bucks matters, and so does yours.