The healing arts

By Raymond D. Fowler, PhD
APA Chief Executive Officer

Throughout APA?s history, psychologists have been interested and involved in the arts. APA?s third and best known president, William James, was a painter long before he became a well-recognized psychologist. He studied under the Newport artist John LaFarge from 1860-61 and did not publish his landmark book ?The Principles of Psychology? until nearly 30 years later.

APA?s Div. 10 (Psychology and the Arts) was one of the 19 charter divisions established by APA in 1945. It now has more than 500 members who are interested in promoting research in psychology and the arts on topics including cognition, creativity, motivation personality, and the relationship between pathology and the arts. Many of Div. 10?s members are artists themselves.

During our centennial year, the American Psychologist (AP), APA?s flagship journal, got a new look that included featuring art on the cover. Since 1992, Melissa Warren, the managing editor of AP, and I have tried to show works by artists who are not widely exhibited in museums. We also favor artwork by psychologists and others interested in psychological phenomena. Some of our artists have experienced physical and psychological disabilities. Most live in the United States, but we have also showcased work by artists from Australia, Egypt, Italy and Kenya. When traveling on APA business, I always seek out art that is produced by people of that region in hopes of finding a piece that may bring a new perspective to the readers of the journal.

Showcasing psychologists? creativity

The fact that many APA members are talented in the visual arts was demonstrated by the two consecutive exhibits of psychologists artwork that have been on display in the APA headquarters building beginning in 1992. Our first art show was established in honor of the APA centennial shortly after we moved to our new building. It featured about 30 paintings, sculptures, drawings and photographs all created by members and affiliates and selected by a panel of local artists, critics and gallery owners.

The show was quite impressive and a big success. During the 1992 convention in Washington, D.C., art tours were conducted by APA staff trained as docents.

Because everyone seemed to enjoy our initial exhibit of psychologists? art, we decided to sponsor a second exhibit, again showcasing our members? many talents. For the past two years, 30 new works of art by members have been on display in the 6th floor reception area and executive office. The artwork was viewed by hundreds of members during board and committee meetings and by members of Congress and psychology-related groups who come to APA for meetings and receptions. Feedback has always been very positive.

And building on our success, last month APA launched its third art exhibit, Healing Art, a collection of Native American art curated by Suzan Shown Harjo, president of the Morning Star Institute, a nonprofit organization in Washington D.C. APA staff first became acquainted with Ms. Harjo through a program sponsored by APA?s Affirmative Action Committee.

For several years, the committee has sponsored Heritage Days, which feature special programs for staff designed to celebrate the cultures and customs of a variety of racial and ethnic groups, including Asians and Pacific Islanders, African Americans and Native Americans, among others.

To make a long story short, Ms. Harjo admired our exhibit of psychologists? artwork and offered to curate a show for us featuring Native American art by renowned artists?some of whom had exhibited at the Peabody Essex Museum in a show called Gifts of the Spirit. It was an offer we couldn?t refuse.

Come to the art show

For the past few weeks, heavy crates and boxes have been arriving almost daily and we?ve been storing them wherever we can find space. The show is being mounted as I write this, and it will officially open on Feb. 21, at a reception for members of APA?s Council of Representatives, which is meeting that week. An upcoming issue of the Monitor will focus on psychology and the arts and will feature a more detailed description of the show including photographs.

Healing Art includes a colorful collection of artworks that address the themes of physical, emotional and spiritual healing. Several of the artists also have work on display at in ?Honoring Native America,? an exhibition that recently opened at the White House Sculpture Garden.

The APA Native American Art exhibit will be on display on the sixth floor of APA?s headquarters building for one year. If you are in town, or in the neighborhood during the next year, please be sure to stop by.