SC24 - Imagination and Improvisation: Art Therapy & Ecological Identity Work

Monica Carpendale, BFA, DVATI, RCAT, BCATR, HLM, is the founder and professor emeritus of the Kutenai Art Therapy Institute in Nelson, BC, Canada. She has over 40 years of experience in education, art therapy, and supervision. Her books are Essence and Praxis in the Art Therapy Studio (2009); A Travelers Guide to Art Therapy Supervision (2011); A Geography of Dreamwork and Art Therapy (2021); A Magpie’s Nest: Arts-based Supervision (2023). She co-edited Walking With: an emerging dialogue with art therapists in the cultural commons (2023). She has also designed 9 therapeutic board games, now going digital, and produced three art therapy documentaries. Monica invented and co-designed nine Blue Heron Therapeutic Board Games, and she has produced three art therapy documentary films. Most recently, she has presented on the art of art therapy supervision focusing on self-care and self-compassion in Belfast, Ireland and at the EFAT Conference in London, UK. Monica has been writing a book with Will Parker on their dialogue and work together entitled ‘The Golden Salamander: Environmental Education and Art Therapy” its expected publication date is September 2025. Monica and Will have also been engaged in “Waking up the Park” - giving a new lease of life to the Vallican Eco Sculpture Park.

William Crow Parker, BA, MES. Expressive arts coach. Will is a faculty member of the Kutenai Art Therapy Institute working on the research committee as an advisor and reader. He worked with Monica on developing a course on Land-based healing, eco art therapy, and ecological identity. Will has worked with children and youth in local schools and on reserve with various therapeutic arts and environment education citizenship groups and workshops. He has provided training in environmental education and creativity to childcare workers, teachers, and art therapists.

Will is a poet, artist, and stone synthesizer - building stone walls and co-creating spaces in the relationship to the environment. As a member of the Vallican Whole Community Centre RARTS board, he has been instrumental in the development of the Sculpture Park. Will is very involved in community being a longstanding board member of the Dumont Creek Burial society, digging graves and overseeing burials for 20 years.

Will has been writing a book with Monica Carpendale on their dialogue and work together entitled ‘The Golden Salamander: Environmental Education and Art Therapy” its expected publication date is September 2025. Will and Monica have also been engaged in “Waking up the Park” - giving a new lease of life to the Vallican Eco Sculpture Park.