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Empowerment Through Creativity

Mission & History of The E.A.S.E.L., Inc.

The E.A.S.E.L., Inc. (Expressive Arts Studio for Empowerment in Living) began as a community, outreach arts studio in 1999. The mission of the E.A.S.E.L. is to create positive, community transformation through creative self-expression. Since 1999 hundreds of attendants have gathered to learn to make art that empowers, heals and gives newfound meaning to their lives. The act of creating and being self-expressed can have many positive effects, which carry over into relationships, work and personal pursuits of goals and passions. See "Benefits of Making Art", and "Testimonials".

 

 

 

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About Cyndie Westrich, M.A., A.T.R.-BC
Director of the E.A.S.E.L, Inc.
Click here for resume

For over fifteen years, Cyndie Westrich has been practicing as a board certified art therapist working with women, children, adolescents and adults in hospital, residential, educational institutions and private practice. After working nine years as an art instructor and art therapist in institutions, which primarily dealt with post trauma care, Cyndie founded the E.A.S.E.L., Inc. in 1999 (Expressive Arts Studio for Empowerment in Living) in Marietta, as a community, outreach arts studio dedicated to preventative healing and transformation through the arts. The E.A.S.E.L. was formed to offer art therapy to those in need, both inside and outside of institutional care, as well as a way to provide art workshops and classes to those desiring gains in their creative development, personal growth and wellness. Both art therapy and art for wellness services are extended at the E.A.S.E.L.

As director of the studio over the last nine years, Cyndie has offered individual and group art therapy for children and adults, as well as workshops, classes and programs on the arts for personal growth and wellness for the metro Atlanta area. She has provided services to the Cobb County School District, the High Museum of Art, Kennesaw State University Continuing Education, Cherokee Department of Children & Family Services, ArtReach, Inc. and the Spruill Center for the Arts as well as to the St. Joseph’s Home for Boys in St. Louis, Missouri. Cyndie has given numerous lectures and workshops on art therapy since 1994 at local, state and national engagements. Cyndie has served as the Ethics Chairperson for the Georgia Art Therapy Association since 1999 and has been a member of the American Art Therapy Association since 1992 and a member of the Jung Society of Atlanta since 2003.

Cyndie completed her Bachelor of Science in Advertising with an emphasis in Art Direction from the School of Communications at the University of Texas at Austin in 1987 and earned her Masters of Art in Art Therapy at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville in 1995. She has had her work published in Art Therapy, the professional magazine for the American Art Therapy Association, and also by the High Museum of Art/Department of Education.

With a passion for studying ethnography, Cyndie enjoys researching archetypal applications of traditional art making found in indigenous cultures used for healing. As an artist she enjoys painting with watercolors and pastels, creating acrylic paintings with mixed media collages and hand building with clay.

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Benefits of Making Art Offered for All

• Explore and enrich your creativity in a non-judgmental, safe and creative atmosphere of trust and mutual respect
  
  
• Relax and reduce stress for more tranquility
  
  
• Set aside time just for yourself with art-making to further your healing and growth processes
  
  
• Be supported in working through fears, doubts and understanding other life blocks for empowerment so you can move forward
  
  
• Open new pathways to creative problem-solving skills and ideas for refreshing, new approaches, which can carry over into strengthening work and personal relationships
  
  
• Become more aware of your intuitive and authentic voice
  
  
• Interact with a community of supportive people interested in the arts, creativity and personal growth in a safe and nurturing environment
  
  
• Develop experience and skills in a variety of art media in two and three dimensions using paint, clay, multi-media, paper and more
  
  
• Heighten your awareness to reach your potential and creative endeavors
  
  
• Learn to develop your images and themes unique to your personal expression
  
• Re-discover the “fine art” of playing

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Testimonials from Students

I wanted to say ‘thank you’ again for allowing me to tap into that creative part of me that I have tried to bury for so long.  Your class was just what the doctor ordered!…It has put the spark back in my eyes and has helped me to release so many things I’d been holding on to needlessly….{The class was } A wake up call to slow down and re-energize myself as well as allowing myself to ‘create’ for my pleasure not anyone’s approval.
-Maya L.

Empowerment to play in art, take the time to express whatever I want however I want to artistically.
-Marilyn I.

I found my creative side again, learned to slow down and focus—very nurturing environment.
-Jan M.

By taking this class I was given permission to create something and like it.  I am struggling and I’ve been able to release some of that self-restraint through art.
-Cindy C.

A safe place to create.
-Hanna S
 

An outlet for creative expression and the environment to feel safe while exploring unknown thoughts and feelings.
-Cate S.

An oasis-a place to get in touch with an image of what was going on deep inside.
-Kate M.