Art therapy and social activism in community-based projects
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Keywords
Art therapy, south africa, social activism
Abstract
This article describes the current interventions and experiences of grassroots members of community-based organisations across South Africa that were presented during the Training Art Therapists for Social Justice conference. The theme of the panel was art therapy and social action in community-based projects. The panel was positioned as a conversation contextualised by the moderator within the South African landscape. After the introductions to the work of Butterfly Art Project, Lefika La Phodiso, Intlantsi Creative Development Project, Creative Mentorship Hub, and Angela Rackstraw, three main questions were discussed by the panellists: How can therapeutic art training programmes incorporate social justice principles to better prepare community workers such as community art counsellors and community art facilitators to address systemic inequalities and remind inclusivity in their practice; What is the role of supervision and mentoring in your specific organisation and how it helped you to sustain the work between the advocacy, the mental health and facilitation; and What examples do we have of community programmes that effectively address any social action or social justice issues and would you measure success in advocating for or achieving a social justice aim?
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References
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Rozanne Myburgh , Lefika La Phodiso - Community Art Counselling & Training Institute; University of Johannesburg
Rozanne Myburgh is a registered drama therapist and managing director of Lefika La Phodiso. She convenes the reflective practice group and theory in practice for the BA Hons Art Therapy programme. She is a clinical supervisor for Drama for Life at Wits and part-time lecturer on the UJ Art Therapy programme.
Angela Rackstraw , University of Johannesburg
Angela Rackstraw is a trained and registered Art Psychotherapist with almost 20 years’ experience of working with both children and adults in this field. She completed her 2 year Post-grad Diploma in Art Therapy (now the MA course) at the University of Hertfordshire in 1995, and then went on to study for another 2 years, gaining her MA in Art Therapy, where she also studied Medical Anthropology. Before training as an Art Therapist, she was a nursing sister, with considerable paediatric experience. She often teaches Art Therapy Masters students in Ireland, and supervises foreign students from both Europe and Ireland in Cape Town, where she arranges various placement opportunities. She has also lectured at Lesley College in Cambridge, Boston in the USA, as part of their Expressive Therapies PhD programme.
Charles Jansen , Butterfly Art Project
Charles Jansen has been with the Butterfly Art Project for almost eight years now. He was trained as a community art facilitator in 2013. During his first year at Butterfly Art Project, he has had the opportunity to assist various very experienced art teachers. Through this, he has gained lots of expertise when it comes to implementation and working with children. He feels lucky to be working in his community and having the opportunity to help to make it a better place. Charles is a CAF trainer, team leader at the art center Vrygrond, a mentor for CAFs and loves to work with children and youth.
Humbulani Mamphiswana Nsenga , Creative Mentorship Hub; Lefika La Phodiso
Humbulani Mamphiswana Nsenga otherwise known as Humbu is the co-founder and instructor of the not for profit organisation called Creative Mentorship Hub based in the in inner city of Johannesburg. The organisation is a safe space for young artists aged 13-23, offering art classes, mentorship programs, mental health support, as well as showcasing their artworks. She obtained a diploma in Fine art at the University of Johannesburg in 2006 and trained as a Community Art Counsellor in 2013. She worked at Lefika La Phodiso as the Safe Spaces Programs Coordinator from 2014-2019. She is a practicing artist, certified life coach (COMENSA) and is a SETA accredited facilitator and a Community Art Counselling Course trainer. Humbu is a co-author and featured artist of one of Lefika’s ‘Body of Knowledge’ Book Series, “Opening Bodies – Open Studio for Children”. She facilitates a wide range of groups from adults, adolescents and children.
Kamal Naran, Lefika La Phodiso - Community Art Counselling & Training Institute; University of Johannesburg
Kamal Naran is an artist and HPCSA registered Art Therapist in South Africa. Completing his Masters in Art Therapy at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) in 2023, he stands as a member of the inaugural cohort of South African art therapists. Kamal serves as an Assistant Lecturer in the Art Therapy and Visual Arts department at UJ, contributing to both practice and academia. As one of the first Art Therapists to intern at a University center for psychological services, Kamal showcases a commitment to integrating art therapy into diverse therapeutic settings. His educational journey includes an Honours degree in both Fine Arts from the University of Pretoria, and with distinction in Art Therapy from UJ. With extensive experience in the non-profit sector, particularly at Lefika La Phodiso: Community Art Counselling & Training Institute. His art therapy and counselling experience extends across group work and individuals of all age groups. He has shared his insights at various conferences, blending artistic talent with a dedication to therapeutic practices and academic excellence.
Nomphelo Princess Dumke , Intlansi Creative Development Project
Nomphelo Princess Dumke (Intlantsi Founder Member since 2012) is a Creative Development Facilitator in Lovers Twist location, near Peddie, Eastern Cape. She is a 48-year old mother of two. She matriculated in 1998 and began studying Financial Management, but was forced to drop-out due to financial problems. “I stayed at home doing nothing, but luckily I started training in this arts programme. We eventually named it Intlantsi Creative Development Project and became registered in 2015. I grew to love my job with kids because when I was young I never saw myself standing in front of a class. I was too shy.” She has now done a lot of related training through Intlantsi including community engagement, arts practices, computer literacy, and administration skills. Phelo works in primary and high schools and is in Intlantsi’s first Train-the-Trainer programme, with 2 of her trainees now working independently in their own schools.
Sinovuyo Ngcolomba , Intlansi Creative Development Project
Sinovuyo Ngcolomba (Intlansi Founder Member since 2012) is a Creative Development Facilitator in Mgababa village, near Mpekweni. She first joined the project because she was bored “sitting at home with nothing to do”, but became excited when she realised she would be playing with kids because she loves that. She has since become a vibrant facilitator, passionate about the important role she plays in her community. “We never had these opportunities in our childhood, so I do this because I don’t want these kids to suffer the way we did. Many of them don’t have parental support but we can offer some of that now in their lives.” Sino was in the first cohort of the Train-the-Trainer programme and has successfully trained a new recruit to independently deliver sessions in another village.
Ziyanda Magadla , Lefika La Phodiso - Community Art Counselling & Training Institute
Ziyanda Magadla is a social auxiliary worker and community art counsellor. With a background in counselling skills, including working with trauma, bereavement and grief, she has worked with many different population groups. She is passionate about working with people and sees herself as a helper at heart.