[Self-Study] The Strength of the Creative Spirit: The Art and Artists of the Holocaust (N)

Recorded On: 01/13/2026

Description:

Approximately 30,000 works of art have been documented since the liberation of Nazi camps and ghettos in 1945 (Amishai-Maisels, 1993). Made in captivity, these pieces of art exemplify the power of creativity and the strength of spirit, and demonstrate the human capacity for resiliency and creativity in the face of suffering. This body of work highlights the innately human need for meaning and creativity, and can inform contemporary art therapy practice. Understanding Holocaust artists’ drive to create art may help art therapists to better address the fundamental concerns of existence that clients face. After all, in drawing, painting, sculpting, and collaging, Holocaust artists gave a form to unimaginable experiences.

This session will begin with an exploration of the art of the Holocaust as a phenomenon. The speaker will share images of the artwork and discuss how, but more importantly, why, this art was made. The speaker will share vignettes from her phenomenological interviews with surviving artists and curators of this work. Participants will be invited to make response art using both traditional and found materials.. 

Learning Objectives:

Participants will be able to:

  • Articulate 3 motivators for making art in captivity.
  • Define the difference between finding meaning and meaning-making
  • Identify 2  existential needs that were satisfied in clandestine art making

Additional Information:

  • This session is worth 2 CEUs
  • This session is ATCB & NBCC Eligible

Elizabeth Hlavek

DAT, LCPAT, ATR-BC

Hlavek Art Therapy


Dr. Elizabeth Hlavek, DAT, LCPAT, ATR-BC is an art therapy clinician, scholar, and advocate. In 2012 Elizabeth spearheaded efforts to develop a clinical art therapy license in Maryland, and subsequently sat on the MD Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists, and later the American Art Therapy Association's Board of Directors.  She continues to hold leadership roles within AATA. Elizabeth's doctoral research examined artwork made by victims in Nazi captivity which she grounded to existential theory. Her book, A Meaning-Based Approach to Art Therapy: From the Holocaust to Contemporary Practices, details her phenomenological study in which she interviewed surviving artists about their experiences creating artwork. She posited that art-making allowed victims to find meaning in their experience, a concept that informs her clinical work. Elizabeth frequently lectures and teaches about her research. She also adjuncts at the International Institute for Existential Humanistic Psychology and St Mary of the Woods college.

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Statement of Confidentiality:

Due to the sensitive nature of our presenters’ work, please refrain from using any images, content, or statements from the presenter(s) without their explicit permission. Thank you for your cooperation.