Community Corner
Northville Art Therapist Shares Art with Special Needs Children
MUSIC, ART AND FUN!
SUMMER CLASS for Kids with Special Needs!
6 Fridays starting JULY 11
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by certified Music Therapist Kelly Garland, MT-BC
& certified Art Therapist Kate Vannier, MA
Find out what's happening in Northvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Northville, MI—Northville’s Kate Vannier has always had a passion for art. The Vannier family owned The Northville Art Gallery for 8 years and Kate’s mother shared the love of art with her as a child. Kate has taken her passion for art and turned it into a career in helping individuals with special needs express themselves in a fun and therapeutic way. Kate, joined with music therapist Kelly Garland, will team teach “Art, Music & Fun!” starting Friday, July 11. Ward Church as generously donated classroom space for the program. Kids with special needs, K-6th grade will be shown how to express themselves through music and art. Siblings can join in, as well.
Kate describes the “Music, Art & Fun” program this way:
“The goals are to help improve the ability to imagine and think symbolically, improve the ability to recognize and respond to facial expressions, improve ability to manage sensory issues, and improve fine motor skills. The children will be encouraged to build a wide range of skills through drawing and other artistic media to help resolve problems and conflicts, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce stress, and increase self-awareness.”
Kate said she first became interested in art as early as she could hold a paint brush. Her mother was a successful artist and she supported Kate’s interest and growth in art. As a young child she watched her paint and was amazed by her mastery of painting and creativity. She found drawing and painting fulfilled her more than playing with dolls and Barbies.
When asked how she became an Art Therapist, Kate responded:
“In retrospect, I was an art therapist or using art therapy early in my life. I was a shy child during my early years and found the benefit of using art making as a language and way to express myself. As my artistry progressed I knew I could share this art expression and healing through art with others. I received my Bachelors of Fine Art with a specialization in drawing, painting, and printmaking. Once I had mastered my artistic skills it was only natural to progress into the field of art therapy to learn the therapeutic role. I decided to pursue two masters degrees simultaneously in art therapy and counseling to provide a seamless marriage of art and healing. Today, I am a clinical therapist at a psychiatric facility working with diverse populations with psychotic disorders and mental illness. In addition, I teach art lessons to children to continue my dual role as an artist and art therapist. Most recently, I am also an art therapist for home-based therapy with populations of traumatic brain injury and developmental disabilities.”
Kate joined forces with a music therapist to offer art & music through this class. Kelly Garland has been working with autistic children in the Northville Sprouts program. She is a board-certified music therapist with a Bachelor's degree in music therapy from EMU. Kelly works with a variety of populations in a variety of settings including schools, pediatric clinics, and memory care centers, aside from running her private music therapy practice, Life Dynamic Music Therapy. Kelly has been working as a music therapist since 2010, and looks forward to helping your child express the self through music-making!
WHERE: Ward Church has donated classroom space for this class. Ward Church at 6 Mile & Haggerty Rd, Northville, MI. Address: 40000 Six Mile Rd, Northville, MI 48168 phone: (248) 374-7400
COST: $240.00 (6 classes x $40 each) – drop ins are welcome but please register first! Siblings can join in for $10 a session.
WHEN: 6 Fridays – start date: Friday, JULY 11
Friday, July 11
Friday, July 18
Friday, July 25
Friday, August 1
Friday, August 8
Friday, August 15
TIME:
K-3: 2pm-3pm and
4th-6th grade 3:30-4:30pm
How to Register: Email or Call Kelly Garland for the registration packet and to reserve your spot!
LifeDynamicMT@gmail.com or call Kelly at 734-680-5561.
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