Art Therapy in Response to Natural Disasters, Mass Violence, and Crises

"As I read Dr. Scarce's book, I was reminded of Vedran Smailovic, who became famous by playing his cello in the streets of Sarajevo during the siege to protest violence and murder. By playing during bombings and funerals he gave beauty and hope to people. Similarly, this book describes ways art therapists have used the arts in responding to natural and man-made disasters. As Scarce wrote, ""It is not just creative art intervention or creative modality that we bring to a disaster site. We often bring hope to those suffering."" This book reminds us of how essential art therapists are in times of crisis. -- Dr. Bruce L. Moon, ATR-BC, HLM Scarce provides a powerful compilation of art therapists' ethical and compassionate responses to globally experienced disaster events. For professionals who aim to serve others and practice self-care following times of crisis, this book is a must-read! -- Barbara Parker-Bell, PsyD, ATR-BC, Director, Florida State University Art Therapy Program Each chapter had me reflect on my own disaster response experiences as the authors remarkably illustrate art therapy frameworks and interventions across solitude and connection, immediacy and sustainability, universal loss and community needs, directed and spontaneous, suffering and hope. -- Jordan S. Potash, PhD, ATR-BC, LCPAT, Associate Professor, Art Therapy, The George Washington University The value of this book is not only that it provides a guide to things to consider but that it presents a model of ethics, humility and cultural respect towards survivors, which is evident in every chapter. Scarce has provided a great testimony to the depth of hearts and minds of creative arts therapists instigating arts-based community action and healing. To read the book is to look into the inside story, the honest recounting of, and reflection on, how things actually started for these programs. -- Özlem Güler * Journal of Creative Arts Therapies *"