Demystifying Art Therapy

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In this event, art therapist Kelly Toltzien will offer a glimpse into what art therapy actually is and what it can look like—moving beyond common misconceptions and into hands-on, experiential exploration. This is a space to try, notice, and engage—no art experience required. Through mixed-media experimentation, learn about the goals and methods of art therapy, and how it can support reflection, self-expression, and connection. Kelly will guide us through a brief grounding exercise to help settle into the space and transition into artmaking. We’ll move through a series of creative stations, each featuring a different material: markers, paint sticks, and collage. Once we’re engaged in intuitive mark-making and drawing, our brains will be ready to slow down and consider our shifting moods, thoughts, sensations, or levels of comfort and ease. After each station, there will be a brief pause for reflection, which can be captured through journaling, sketching, or quiet contemplation. Then, we’ll transform the work into a small booklet or zine, incorporating collage to complete the piece and integrate it with our inner experiences. We’ll close with an opportunity for self-reflection and optional sharing and connection with the group. Join us for a new experience that prioritizes mindfulness in the process over the perfection of the product! Choose the amount that feels right to you. $45 | $35 | $25 About the Teaching Artist Kelly Toltzien is a Board Certified Art Therapist, Licensed Professional Counselor, and the founder of Wildflower Therapies, a mental health practice rooted in accessible, integrative, and trauma-informed care. With over 15 years of experience, she works with teens, young adults, and adults using creative and body-based approaches to support healing and self-exploration. Her work is grounded in the belief that you don’t need to be an artist to benefit from art therapy. Instead, creativity becomes a way to better understand yourself—especially when words don’t quite capture the full picture. In addition to her clinical work, Kelly has experience in teaching and facilitating, bringing a thoughtful and engaging approach to group spaces. She draws from expressive arts, somatic practices, and mindfulness to create environments that feel welcoming, low-pressure, and grounded in curiosity rather than perfection.