Pat B. Allen, Ph.D., A.T.R., is an author, artist, art therapist, and teacher who connects to the Creative Source through art and writing. Her books – Art Is a Way of Knowing (Shambhala 1995) and Art Is a Spiritual Path (Shambhala 2005) – explore the borders between art, psychology, spirituality, and social action and are considered classics in the field of expressive arts therapy. Her novel  Cronation (Blue Jay Press, 2016) offers an inspiring vision of a world infused by the revolutionary creative energy of women. Author of numerous professional articles, Dr. Allen lectures and delivers workshops nationally and internationally. Her artwork has been exhibited in a wide variety of juried and invited exhibits. Dr. Allen served on the faculty of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago for twenty years and has taught at many colleges and universities nationally and internationally. Dr. Allen co-founded the Open Studio Project in Chicago and of Studio Pardes in Oak  Park, IL. She is currently Senior Consulting  Faculty for the Jewish Studio Project, which was founded by her daughter, Rabbi Adina Allen. Pat is the delighted  grandmother of Adina’s two boys, Remy and Tovi.

Rhonda Johnson, ATR-BC graduated Wellesley College with a degree in Economics, then pursued a career in corporate marketing.  Reprioritizing her love for art, years later she made a mid-course correction to pursue a graduate degree in Creative Art Therapies at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY.  As a board-certified art therapist, and certified Open Studio Process facilitator; she offers art experiences in her home studio as well as at various community spaces.  Before the pandemic, Rhonda worked at a behavioral health center in Newark, NJ, creating and running their art therapy program for over 50 children and teens. Rhonda now provides art therapy via telehealth to kids who can benefit from art as a means of self-expression.  In her spare time, she indulges in Britcoms, knitting, drawing and reading.

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