about
the artist
I’m an artist, mental health and art therapist, and community based teaching artist devoted to fostering personal growth, creative expression, connection, and healing.
"The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls."
-Pablo Picasso
I believe there are a vast amount of ways that people can effectively process their lives, connect with themselves, and connect with others. Art is one of these powerful tools. Whether in an individual session, a classroom, or out in the community, creativity cannot only be an outlet, but a bridge between people, a source of reflection and self inquiry, a way to communicate and share oneself, and a tool in "dusting" ourselves off.
I've facilitated art groups across the States, in Europe, and in Central America geared towards healing personal wounds, fostering mindfulness, mental health, engaging relationships, and creative expression in numerous environments. I've worked in schools, hospitals, clinics, and community settings individually on personal needs, as well as in developing of class curriculum, large scale projects, community engagement pieces, and public art pieces as both a teaching artist and art therapist.
I am a nationally credentialed Art Therapist and a licensed Mental Health Counselor. I currently run community based art programming in Chelsea, MA, make public and personal art in the Boston area, and see clients on an individual basis through my private practice. Please check out my Psychology Today profile if you are interested in individual services.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/jenna-a-feldman-chelsea-ma/885600
what is art therapy ?
Expressive Arts Therapy is a form of mental health counseling that incorporates creative expression into the therapeutic process. Like traditional talk therapy, it involves forming a clinical relationship with a therapist to help you with personal issues, developing goals, gaining insight, and discussing thoughts and feelings. At times, the art leads and at times the therapy leads. By this I mean that in some settings and situations the artmaking itself is the therapy, and at other times it is part of the therapy. You absolutely don't have to identify as an artist, or even know a thing about art, to engage in expressive arts therapy!
I provide individual therapy and art therapy, art therapy groups, art therapy supervision, and community based art groups for individuals and communities in need of support, expression, and creativity.
community projects
 Addison street, Chelsea at Market del Sol mural. This mural represented fruits that stem from the various and diverse communities and cultures that inhabit this neighborhood. It is rich, beautiful and colorful much like its neighbors. |  Sirens Crew Mural at Chelsea, MA North Suffolk Mental Health Center. "What strength do you find in your depths and darkness?" |  Sirens Crew Mural at Chelsea, MA North Suffolk Mental Health Center. "What strength do you find in your depths and darkness?" |
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 Mural at outdoor space in Lynn, MA |  Art in the Park, a MCC and Chelsea Cultural Council funded project. A series of free art workshops in a Chelsea, MA park. |  Making stamps and symbols |
 Writing wishes for the park's prayer flags |  Fabric Dyeing and learning Shibori folding techniques |  Exploring personal symbols through paint and canvas |
 Community made Shibori flags drying |  Creating messages on community flags |  |
 Electric box on Broadway, Chelsea, MA |  |  |
 As a Muralist Assistant to Artist Kristy McCarthy and as part of CAW's Summer Employment Program. Mural is located in East Harlem, NY. |  |  As a Muralist Assistant to Artists Kristy McCarthy and as part of CAW's Summer Employment Program. Mural is located in East Harlem, NY. |
 Where do you see art in your life? Post it art project with Lynn students. |  Alongside Gala Narezo, community art educator, provided art directives to City College students to aid in improved mindfulness through artmaking |  Alongside Gala Narezo, community art educator, provided art directives to City College students to aid in improved mindfulness through artmaking |
 In collaboration with La House @Lawrenceartshouse.org brought in art supplies for youth at Lawrence High School preparing for their walkout |  La House brought in art supplies for youth at Lawrence High School preparing for their walkout |  Youth of Lynn, MA making stencils of birds and discussing privilege and diversity in collaboration with Las Piranas "Amamos nuestros colores differentes/ We love our different colors |
 As part of La House and alongside the female Graffiti crew, Las Piranas, as well as other local artists: making pieces about the American experience |  As part of La House and alongside the female Graffiti crew, Las Piranas, as well as other local artists: making pieces about the American experience |  As part of La House and alongside the female Graffiti crew, Las Piranas, as well as other local artists: making pieces about the American experience |
 As part of Mujeres al Frente and in collaboration with La House and Las Piranas, painting the skate park in Lawrence, MA |  As a Raw Staffer and co-facilitator of the TAG program, creating terrariums with origami flowers and mosaic grounds and exploring personal growth |  As a Raw Staffer and co-facilitator of the TAG program, taking recordings of SOUNDS WAVES of statements that youth want to vocalize to their communities. Youth artists drew, projected, and painted this piece as well as made stencils of their "phrases" in their sound wave form. |
 Youth drilled holes through these recycled forms, weaved through them, and cut out silhouettes exploring ways they CONNECT to others |  Alongside Gala Narezo, a fellowship project was developed to provide workshops and community projects driven towards connecting mindfulness, art making and art therapy to City College students in the Graduate of Art Ed program as well as the CCNY community at large |  Alongside Gala Narezo, a fellowship project was developed to provide workshops and community projects driven towards connecting mindfulness, art making and art therapy to City College students in the Graduate of Art Ed program as well as the CCNY community at large |
 Student art show: CCNY's City Art Lab |
personal art
Always evolving, I'm continuously re-examining my creative practice and aiming to build new skills, push myself beyond my comfort zone, and seek out new forms of inspiration. I work primarily with collage, paint, and drawing.
Organic forms, nature, transition, rhythm, transformation and regeneration, archetypes, the feminine experience, urban life, sensuality, multicultural experiences, and life journeys are all recurring themes in my work. I play with layering, cutting, drawing, mixing, etching, texture, stitching, print, color, line, space, and form. Primarily, I work on canvas with acrylic paint, paper with watercolor and ink, and also do murals in public spaces.
Ultimately, process is my central fuel. I work intuitively with color with form. For me, artmaking is not merely about creating lovely things; it is a form of reflection and intention setting that is always changing and emerging. As a result, my work as an artist and as an Art Therapist are inextricably tied.
Press on any of the images below to see full photos of artwork and the mediums/dimensions.
Please contact me if you are interested in commissioned work.
Sirxns Crew, Mural in Chelsea on Division street
Medellin, Colombia
20" x 20"
Acrylic and ink on canvas 6' x 4.5 '
Acrylic and ink on canvas 6' x 4.5 '
clinical & professional experience
I am an Art Therapist and Licensed Mental Health Counselor, LMHC, working in the state of Massachusetts. Additionally, I have continued education in social justice driven art education with a focus on community based arts.
Education
M.A., Counseling Psychology & Expressive Art Therapy
Lesley University, Cambridge, MA
School of Arts & Sciences, May 2012
Social Justice Driven Art Education
City College of New York, NY
School of Arts & Sciences, 1 year of study, 2016
B.S., English
University of Hartford, West Hartford, CT
School of Arts & Sciences, May 2007
Intensive Spanish Studies
Proyecto Linguistico Queztalteco de Espanol
Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, September-December 2012
Professional experience
Raw Art Works (RAW), Lynn, MA
Art Educator & Art Therapist, Community Based Expressive Art Therapy Center
November 2016-June 2020
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Ran art therapy program and studio at a Therapeutic High School- Fecteau Leary Middle/High School in Lynn, MA
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Facilitated fast paced therapeutic art groups
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Developed art concepts that have therapeutic content that were discussed through the artmaking process as well as in discussion with youth
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Projects were geared towards and directed by clientele and group needs and clinical themes
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Worked with clientele with a wide range of clinical needs ranging from trauma, mood disorders, attachment disorders, personality disorders, thought disorders, behavioral issues, self harm, eating disorders, difficulty with regulation, and OCD
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Held focused workshops with clientele on consent, healthy relationships, and LGBTQ+ understanding and affirmation, identity, and allyship
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Held space for youth to discuss issues of racism, prejudice, inequity, socioeconomic struggle, and trauma/difficulty related to these aspects of themselves and their experiences
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Created large scale art pieces that are then part of school and community settings
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Facilitated projects in 2-D and 3-D techniques such a printmaking, sculpture, origami, mural making and street art, creating stencils, mosaic, and painting and drawing
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Held an annual art show with an overriding theme where students exhibited up to 10 bodies of artwork and projects
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Art projects included therapeutic themes focusing on self-esteem, goal setting, personal strengths, change, environmental awareness, social justice and equity, identity, grief and loss, communication skills, relationships, communication, endings/beginnings, community, acceptance, and collaboration.
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Worked collaboratively with other Art Therapists, teaching artists, educators, and school administrators
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Mentored and managed interns
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Developed and facilitated all lesson plans, directives, projects, and group processes
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Held an individual caseload of 5-10 youth that were provided individual art therapy on a weekly basis and ran 5-6 groups per day
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Participated in weekly clinical meetings and all staff meetings
Lawrence Arts House, Lawrence, MA
Art Therapist, Group Facilitator and Administration
September 2016-Present
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Aid in development of programming, creating systems of organization, and engagement with community
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Co-facilitate community support and therapeutic art groups
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Write grants in collaboration with colleagues
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Write statements of purpose and proposals for including in workshops, seminars, and providing services for other organizations
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Create and manage organization website
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Community engagement
Justice Resource Institute Lawrence, MA
Outpatient Clinician, Outpatient Clinic and Mental Health Facility
September 2016-August-2019
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Provided individual psychodynamic and trauma informed therapy and art therapy
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Developed therapeutic interventions that are client centered and individually tailored to personal and interpersonal needs
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Worked long term with clientele ages 3-40
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Managed a caseload of 15 individual clients
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Worked closely with client’s families and other service providers
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Facilitated art therapy groups geared towards youth in need of additional resources
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Worked collaboratively with CSA team and manage all necessary case management
Creative Art Works (CAW), NY, NY
Teaching Artist Assistant, Public Art Youth Employment Summer Program
June 2016- August 2016
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Facilitated lessons in artistic technique, mural making, social and self-awareness, public art, job readiness, social emotional education, and community involvement to a group of 15-20 youth (ages 15-21) with a history of incarceration, violence, homelessness, and/or abuse
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Developed a large scale public art mural
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Worked collaboratively with a fellow teaching artist
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Developed and facilitate all lesson plans
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Aided youth in bringing the mural into fruition through in depth scaffolding, discussion, art activities, research, activities, and lessons
New Horizon Counseling Center, Far Rockaway, NY
Creative Art Therapist, Continuing Day Treatment Program
September 2013-May 2016
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Provided individual and group psychotherapy to populations diverse in age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, functioning, mental health diagnosis, sexual orientation and gender.
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Led 4-6 creative art therapy groups utilizing a variety of creative modalities such as dance, drama, creative writing and visual arts. Also utilizing mindfulness techniques such as yoga, breathing and meditation.
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Facilitated art classes that build skills in sculpture, drawing, painting, jewelry making, multimedia work and collaborative artwork utilizing numerous mediums and methods.
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Facilitated groups educating clients in art history, art styles and contemporary artists.
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All art, movement, and drama therapy groups are aimed towards building insight, supporting affect regulation, experiencing embodiment, decreasing isolation and offering an avenue for developing skill, passion and creative expression.
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Led client-centered talk therapy groups relating to specific themes of change, healing, grief, women’s issues, addiction, communication and healthy relationships, coping skills, goal setting and self-esteem
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Organize, manage and maintain an art studio.
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Develop art exhibitions, large group collaborative pieces, long term art pieces, and develop all creative activities, presentations and award ceremonies.
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Facilitate one-on-one therapy and case management with a case load of 8 individual clients.
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Worked collaboratively as a member of a disciplinary treatment team.
Luis Cardoza y Aragon Popular Culture Center, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala
Creative Art Therapist and Art Teacher, Community Cultural Center
September-December 2012
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Provided daily, art lessons and creative art therapy for Guatemalan youth (ages 7-12) living in an orphanage with a history neglect, physical and sexual abuse, mood disorders, suicidal ideation and developmental delays.
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Provided a range of artistic experiences and lessons that enabled students to develop a creative outlet, a sense of skill and proficiency, and an avenue for developing group cohesion.
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Developed lesson plans that incorporated skills in painting, sculpture, drawing, multimedia work, and abstract expression.
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Developed strong relationships with clients utilizing a variety of creative art therapy techniques and modalities built to aid self-esteem, self-acceptance, and enjoyment; also guided towards developing meaningful and healthy relationships built on trust, safety and care between group members and in the client-therapist relationship.
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Groups consisted of various therapeutic techniques utilizing visual arts, movement, drama and writing directives.
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All groups were facilitated in Spanish.
City School Enrichment Program, Los Angeles, CA
Site Director, Charter Middle School
January 2013-June 2013
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Organized daily enrichment programming in an after-school setting that focused on increasing self-esteem, healthy communication tactics, group connectedness and functioning, personal expression, education, and connectedness for adolescents with a history of poverty, homelessness, behavioral issues, mood disorders, and learning disabilities.
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Managed conflict resolution, family conflicts and concerns, communication with teachers and school administration, group management and activity facilitation.
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Developed interventions and activities that required creativity, respect, self-exploration, team work while introducing new, novel and interesting experiences.
St. Anne’s Home, Methuen, MA
Clinical Intern, Residential Youth Treatment and Care Facility
September 2010- May 2011
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Provided individual and group talk and expressive art therapy to children and adolescents struggling with extensive histories of neglect, physical and sexual abuse, mood disorders, thought disorders, suicidal ideation, eating disorders, drug and alcohol abuse.
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Successfully developed art lessons that facilitated emotional expression and containment, diminish depression and foster healthy relationships, build self-esteem, connectedness and meaningfulness.
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Maintained an art room and developed organization that fostered creative expression and positive use of space and materials.
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Organized 6-week and 8-week therapy talk and expressive therapy groups based on specific topics of: loss and grief, drug related issues, abuse and neglect, self-esteem, and woman issues.
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Clientele ranged from ages 8 to 21.
Additional experience
Mass Cultural Council Grant, Chelsea, MA
Grantee and Teaching Artist, Chelsea Cultural Council grantee facilitating a series of free art workshops in a local park to participants of all ages. “Art in the Park”
June 2022-August 2022
City Art Lab, NY, NY
Teaching Artist, Community Art Based After School Program for High School Aged Students
City College of New York, Graduate Art Education Department
January 2016- May 2016
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Developed lesson plans geared towards issues of identity, social justice, and environmental awareness
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Facilitated class lessons, demos, and art mentorship for a class of 12-15students
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Worked collaboratively with peers in organizing a culminating art show including developing pamphlets, flyers, installing the art show, and labeling of art works
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Supported student artists in developing artist statements
Connor Fellowship
City College of New York, Graduate Art Education Department
September 2015- June 2016
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Provided workshops in therapeutic art and mindfulness that included experiences of mediation, expressive movement, and visual artmaking for undergraduate and graduate students
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Provided an interactive lecture on Art Therapy and Therapeutic Art for all CCNY students, alumni, and Faculty
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Provided tuition in exchange for the development of this project
NAEA Conference 2017
Presenting with Dr. Susan McCullough on Art Therapy and Art Education:
Overlaps, ethical considerations, recognizing the differences between art therapy and therapeutic art, as well as what it means to create 'safe space' in the art classroom and in the art therapy studio