Dr. Jordan Potash, an Associate Professor of Art Therapy, was recently interviewed by Community Engaged Scholarship (CES).
Dr. Potash’s passion for the arts, the human mind, and social justice are what make him a successful educator and practicing art therapist. Dr. Potash knew he wanted to pursue a career as an art therapist after studying psychology and studio arts at Syracuse University while also volunteering with an art therapist at a psychiatric hospital. As a current professor within GW’s Art Therapy Masters Program and as a practicing art therapist with Sasha Bruce Youthwork (SBY), Dr. Potash is an educator with a community engaged perspective.
Art therapy, a psychotherapy based profession, has been and continues to be misunderstood. People tend to mistake art therapy as “arts and crafts,” but Dr. Potash emphasized “the real value art therapy brings to the table.” Explaining that “art-making facilitates creativity, helps people tap into their imagination, gain new perspectives, and challenge their self-perceptions to strengthen their self-image.” Even though the value of art therapy can be utilized in several different contexts, Dr. Potash’s work focuses on how art therapy can facilitate social action and advance social justice.
"Embracing collaboration to implement co-created initiatives"
After Dr. Potash co-created an expressive art therapy Masters Program at the University of Hong Kong, he returned to GW and began collaborating with Sasha Bruce Youthworks. SBY aims to help youth find safe living, strengthen interpersonal relationships, explore career opportunities, and maintain good physical and mental health. It is also a first stop for newly homeless people where they can receive free meals, laundry, bathing, case management, a computer lab, and clinical services. Dr. Potash has worked as SBY’s Art Therapist, providing one-on-one service for youth, for four years.
GW’s Art Therapy Masters Program is 50 years old, one of the oldest in the country. The program continues to cultivate long lasting community partnerships with its year long internships where students complete 1000 hours of service in total. All students participate in two to three, year long internships to gain more realistic understandings about the practice of art therapy. One internship focuses on children or adolescents and the other on adults or seniors. Students choose their preferred setting for interning and have the choice between psychiatric centers, schools, hospitals, or community organizations. Students also gain experience while working at GW’s low fee Art Therapy Clinic in Alexandria.
"We must always question our intentions and our position. Consistent and thoughtful reflection helps us form genuine connections and strengthens our community partnerships."
Self-reflection is critical in service. When asked about the growth of SBY, Dr. Potash explained how his consistent partnership with SBY helped him establish trust. Dr. Potash’s intrinsic passion, strong sense of purpose, and commitment to expanding the accessibility of art therapy has helped cultivate his partnership with SBY. In general, Dr. Potash believes that the arts can be used to advance community development, reduce bias, and cultivate cross-cultural relationships. As an educator, Dr. Potash helps his students widen their perspectives and “think about how their own values, belief systems, and biases come into play so that they can find a much greater way to engage with their clients and better serve their communities.”
COVID-19 has complicated the Art Therapy Master’s program, as most students are unable to practice in person. When GW held Spring 2020 classes virtually, though, some art therapy students were able to continue their work on site. While adapting the art therapy program to virtual instruction, Dr. Potash noted that the increased visibility and accessibility to art therapy has been a plus.
"No matter what you are teaching, there is always a racial perspective."
As a member of the Black Lives Matter Faculty Learning Community (BLM FLC), Dr. Potash advances his work by participating in interdisciplinary discussions “that are sometimes uncomfortable to have.” The intimate group focuses on integrating the Black Lives Matter movement’s mission into curricula in a collaborative way.
We are honored to have Jordan Potash serve as a Nashman Affiliate member. To learn more about Nashman Affiliate Faculty and Faculty Learning Communities, click here. If you’re interested in designating your course as a Community Engaged Scholarship course, click here.
