November 21, 2019

Art therapy instructor brings art-making opportunities to east Portland community

What does a block party look like in east Portland? During the second annual Arte Soleil block party held on September 14, it looked like dozens of families spending a summer day building community and having crafty fun.

What does a block party look like in east Portland? During the second annual Arte Soleil block party held on September 14, it looked like dozens of families spending a summer day building community and having crafty fun. Kristine Bella, a certified art therapist and art therapy instructor/clinical coordinator at Lewis & Clark Graduate School of Education and Counseling, is the co-owner of Arte Soleil and an organizer of the festival.

Arte Soleil is a festival with free opportunities to create art, to participate, and to enjoy community building,” says Bella. She describes Arte Soleil as an organization about teaching people, rather than running a business, and that their goal is for everyone to be able to engage in the creative process.

The block party has been consecutively hosted for two years in east Portland’s Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood to make sure creators in the community are seen and heard. It also encourages Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood local artists, folks, and partner organizations such as the Community Art Project and Free Arts Northwest to come together and form connections.

To learn more about Arte Soleil or to get involved, contact Kristine Bella at kbella@lckark.edu.

Art Therapy at Lewis & Clark

The mission of Lewis & Clark’s art therapy program is to educate students using art-making to deepen self-awareness and to develop reflective practitioners who competently apply theory to practice. 

We are currently accepting applications for the 20/21 academic year. Visit our website for more information about the program.