Art of the Soul is a "family owned independent expressive arts center dedicated to providing a creative space where everyone is welcome and encouraged to explore artistic expression that develops a deeper awareness of self, family and community," explained Art Therapist and owner Jessica Buescher. Its location is 5345 Winthrop Avenue, Suite C, near 54th street and the Monon Trail.

She decided to combine her art background with her business. "I worked in managed healthcare as an art therapist and I found myself called to open an art studio that focused on the process of creating art as opposed to the product. I wanted to create a space for families and people of all ages. I worked at Community North Psychiatric Pavillion, Valle Vista Psychiatric Hospital in their adolescent unit, an in-home counseling agency and completed my internship at the Julian Center. At the studio, we offer art therapy groups for teens and adults, individual art therapy sessions, art therapy for non-profit groups, as well as general community programming for toddlers through adults and traditional art classes. The studio is also a place where I can focus on the balance between being an artist as well as an art therapist," she said.

In addition to opening Art of the Soul in November 2010, Ms. Buescher plays a key role as part of a burgeoning renaissance for art therapists being involved in related activities around town. "I was recently chosen president-elect for the Indiana Art Therapy Association (www.indianaarttherapy.com) next year. It's been dormant for 20 years and we're reviving it. You will find art therapists working all over the state of Indiana in places such as hospitals, schools, counseling agencies, non-profit groups, private practice and more," she mentioned.

Ms. Buescher discussed some influences that inspired her. "I lived in a very rural community in western central Illinois and had a progressive art teacher. I wanted to be a child psychologist and combine art and counseling. After graduating undergrad with a Bachelor's degree in art and psychology, I worked for a residential psychiatric division of Catholic Charities as a counselor for about two years in Illinois before moving to Indiana for graduate school. St. Mary of the Woods had an art therapy program that began in 2000. There were about five students in my class, but this past fall (2011), there were about 30 to 40 students. Herron's Art Therapy will open this fall as well. There is a growing interest and need for art therapy in our community," she noted.

Her travels became life-changing experiences that guided her career in a new direction. "I found art therapy and shamanism to be a beautiful model for me with its rich culture and traditions. When I was in graduate school, I really started researching spirituality and reading about shamanism. What attracted me to it was the earth connection. It was a safe way for me to explore my personal growth and transformation. In 2006, I completed training in Utah with the Four Winds Society. In 2007, I traveled to Peru where I visited sacred sites and met with shamans in Euros Isles, Amantani and Taquille Island and Lake Titicaca off the coast of Peru and Bolivia. In 2008, I lived in Guatemala while adopting my son. I left the United States to complete the adoption process, thinking it would only be six weeks and I would be able to return to my job. Six weeks turned into six months. Needless to say, I had a lot of time to reflect and put life into perspective. I dreamed of an art studio that could help people put their lives in perspective," she said. Pictures of her travels can be viewed in an upcoming show Fall 2012 at Art of the Soul Studio.

"In shamanism, there is a deep connection to story telling and archetypes. I used that knowledge with [my experiences at the] Julian Center while completing my thesis on art therapy techniques and shaman archetypes. Often, we focus on the story, become our story and we don't know how to reach the source where real change can occur. Shamanic energy practices work at the source where quick and deep change can occur. Its underlying principle is that our emotional, genetic and karmic history organizes energy, often leaving dense or heavy imprints on our energy, which create emotional and physical dysfunction. The shaman practice focuses on the whole person: body, mind and spirit and tracks the symptoms to its source. The sessions involve life coaching and instruction in the shamanic traditions. The sessions accelerate change," Ms. Buescher revealed. Jessica teaches classes in the studio as well as partnering for workshops with shaman trained Life Coach Dane McCulough. For more information on Jessica's shaman work and upcoming events, see www.deepenyoursoulwork.com.

Art Therapy is defined as "an established mental health profession that uses the creative process of art making to improve and enhance the physical, mental and emotional well-being of individuals of all ages. It is based on the belief that the creative process involved in artistic self-expression helps people to resolve conflicts and problems, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce stress, increase self-esteem and self-awareness and achieve insight."

Describing the rewarding aspects of her work, "I absolutely love watching people create artwork that is all their own, especially when they have a chance to share what they have created and their 'aha' moments. It's also rewarding giving people the tools to help them help themselves. Sometimes I see people who might get stuck working on a piece of art because they are focusing on what the end product should look like. Much like life, if we can become present to the process, we become more successful individuals. In our Creative Spirit classes, we let the art serve as a vehicle to carry them forward," she added.

"Choosing to open Art of the Soul in Broad Ripple was a natural and easy decision for us. Not only is the energy in Broad Ripple a good fit, but my family set up roots here eight years ago. I could not imagine being anywhere else. We are just off the Monon Trail and many of our customers walk or bike to the studio. When we came up with the name, we knew we wanted the words art and soul expressed. It was just a matter of putting them in order. I utilized the Women's Business Center at the local SBA on Keystone Avenue. The business counselor helped me to come up with a name that was not already in use. It fit perfect for us and our mission," she recalled.

Artistic talent runs in her family. Her parents own Star Metal Arts. They make and sell metal garden art, which are available at Art of the Soul Studio and on their website: www.starmetalart.com.

Current events at Art of the Soul are a May 11 exhibit called, "Soul Art" from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Liza Hyatt, an art therapist, poet and writer, will present a reading from her new book Under My Skin at 7:30 p.m. She will have books for purchase and signing as well. Artist trading cards will be available for socializing and networking. Kristi Gmutza, an Art Therapist from Irvington who specializes in working with toddlers and preschoolers, teaches the Art of the Soul kids program from a childhood development and art perspective.

Additional events are Life Transitions art therapy groups starting May 22 and Art Therapy Group for Personal Growth beginning July 10th, 2011.

There are a variety of summer classes for children and adults of all ages. More information on enrolling for a class or specific programs can be found at www.artofthesoulstudio.com or by calling 251-7500.

You can discover your own artistic journey with Jessica Buescher at Art of the Soul.