Alyssa Teal an Art Therapist in training from Madison, Wisconsin. She is a graduate student in her final year of the Master of Arts in Art Therapy and Counseling Program at SAIC. As an artist and emerging art therapist, she explores a range of materials and brings her knowledge of art making into therapy sessions. Over the years, she has learned how different art materials have specific therapeutic functions and understands the importance of pairing materials with individual clinical goals. Alyssa has a background in psychology research, childcare, and art. Alyssa hopes to combine her interests in research and art and work as an art therapist with children who have experienced early childhood trauma.
Sally Dress, Sally Dress, 2022. Mixed fabric, thread, embroidery floss. 16 x 30 in.
Mad Hatter, (front side), Mad Hatter, (front side), 2023. Cardboard, fabric, ribbon, feathers, watercolor, thread, hot glue. 11 x 8 in.
Mad Hatter, (back side),, Mad Hatter, (back side), 2023. Cardboard, fabric, ribbon, feathers, watercolor, thread, hot glue. 11 x 8 in.
Embroidered Bee, Embroidered Bee, 2023. Felt, sequins, beads, wire, thread, embroidery floss. 4 x 3 in.
Embroidered Beetle #1, Embroidered Beetle #1, 2023. Fabric, sequins, beads, wire, thread, embroidery floss. 5.5 x 5 in.
Embroidered Beetle #2, Embroidered Beetle #2, 2023. Felt, sequins, beads, wire, thread, embroidery floss. 3 x 4.5 in.
Embroidered Bugs, Embroidered Bugs, 2023. Felt, sequins, beads, wire, thread, embroidery floss. Various sizes.
Willow Tree, Willow Tree, 2023. Cardboard, Papier-Mâché, Card stock, Wire, Great Stuff Foam Sealant, Hot Glue, Foam Pipe Insulators, Spray Paint. 5 x 7 feet.
Mushroom Shelf #1, Mushroom Shelf #1, 2022. Polymer Clay, Wire, Natural Wood Slice. 3 x 4 in.
Mushroom Shelf #2, Mushroom Shelf #2, 2022. Polymer Clay, Wire, Natural Wood Slice. 3 x 4 in.
This collection includes works from various projects throughout the past year. In her final year at SAIC, Alyssa created more art than ever before and learned the magic of creating art simply as a form of becoming. Alyssa created the Sally Dress as a Halloween costume and became absorbed in the process, learning how to make a dress without a pattern and transforming into a beloved character from the Nightmare Before Christmas. Interested in costuming, she created the Mad Hatter hat in her 3D embellishment class, decorating it with ribbons she sewed to form organic shapes and feathers she water colored, curled, and trimmed. The collection of embroidered bugs were also created for her 3D embellishment class, and Alyssa found the process of slowly threading bead after bead to be therapeutic. Finally, the last three photos were part of her MAATC (Master of Arts in Art Therapy and Counseling) graduate project where she created a research-based art installation that explored how art therapy can be utilized when working with children who have experienced domestic violence. Alyssa created her own “safe space” out of art and used the symbolism of trees and mushrooms to understand how communities have the capability to take care of individuals, just as mushrooms and trees are able to take care of one another through their underground root networking system.