On August 25, 2019, the Delaware Valley Art Therapy Association officially became the Pennsylvania Art Therapy Association. This transition was made to better support the pursuit of licensure in Pennsylvania and to foster a more inclusive community for art therapists across the entire state. While we've grown and expanded, we remain deeply grateful for our roots and the incredible art therapists who laid the foundation for our chapter. This page serves as both a tribute to them and a place to reflect on our shared history.
2010s
The Pennsylvania Art Therapy Licensure Council (PAATLC) began in 2015 as a sub-committee of the Delaware Valley Art Therapy Association. PAATLC was created as a resource for Pennsylvania Art Therapists to organize efforts for the pursuit of an independent professional art therapy license in the State of Pennsylvania. On August 25, 2019, DVATA officially transitioned into the Pennsylvania Art Therapy Association (PAATA). This change reflected a shift toward statewide unity and a stronger, more inclusive professional identity. The transition was a strategic move to support licensure efforts and represent art therapists across the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
2000s
During the 2000s, the push for licensure gained significant momentum. Art therapists became more organized in their efforts to be recognized under state laws, and DVATA increased its advocacy work - building relationships with legislators and aligning with national efforts to secure legal recognition for art therapists.
1990s
The 1990s brought expansion in educational opportunities and job placements for art therapists. DVATA hosted regular conferences and workshops, increasing the visibility of art therapy across clinical, educational, and community settings. The photos below were shared by Michele Rattigan, celebrating her new role as a DVATA Board member after graduating and contributing to the AATA Conference being held in Philadelphia. Art therapists continued to advocate for clearer professional recognition, laying groundwork for future licensure efforts.
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1980s
The logo and brochure above were created by Mindy Jacobson-Levy in 1980-81.
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In the early 1980s, art therapists came together to form the Delaware Valley Art Therapy Association (DVATA), a local chapter of AATA. DVATA became a central hub for networking, continuing education, advocacy, and professional support. The chapter served art therapists in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware, helping to elevate the profession regionally.
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In 1981, the concept of a “cookbook of well-known art therapists” later entitled, The Artful Cuisine was developed as fundraising project. The cookbook was sold for $8 at the Art Therapy Conference in 1982.
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1970s
This decade saw the beginnings of more formal education and training in art therapy, often through counseling or psychology programs with art components. The American Art Therapy Association (AATA), founded in 1969, inspired local efforts to build a more unified presence in Pennsylvania.
1960s
Art therapy began to emerge as a distinct discipline as professionals continued experimenting with art as a therapeutic modality, especially in state hospitals, community mental health settings, and schools. National conversations about the profession’s identity and defining the field were also gaining traction.
1950s - The Beginning
Art therapy began to take root in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware during the 1950s, as professionals in mental health and the arts started recognizing the therapeutic value of creative expression. Early pioneers - often art educators, psychologists, and artists working in hospitals and psychiatric facilities - laid the groundwork for the field by integrating art-making into patient care.