Crooked Tree Arts Center Forms New Partnership with Harbor Hall, Inc. for Expressive Arts Education this Fall in Petoskey

For Immediate Release

September 18, 2024

Crooked Tree Arts Center Forms New Partnership with Harbor Hall, Inc. for Expressive Arts Education this Fall in Petoskey

PETOSKEY, MI —  Crooked Tree Arts Center (CTAC) is excited to announce their new community arts partnership with Harbor Hall this fall to share the importance of expressive arts therapy and the vital role that arts can have on our emotional wellbeing and personal growth. Amabel Liu, an experienced expressive arts therapist at Harbor Hall in Petoskey, will be giving the season’s first Coffee @ 10 talk Thursday, September 26 at 10:00 am on the topic of “Transformative Journeys of Recovery and Healing.” In addition, Liu will also be teaching a 6-week evening class titled “Healing, Wellness, and Creativity: Expressive Arts Workshop,” which will start on Monday, November 4. All events will be held at CTAC - Petoskey and are open to the public.

“Ama [Liu] is an inspiring instructor and her passion for her work is palpable,” said Sheila Ruen, Visual Arts Director at Crooked Tree Arts Center. “With the change in seasons, shorter days and cooler weather, many in our community will benefit from a guided course on self-discovery and mindfulness, as well as the comfort and connection of a community arts class. We hope you check out our programming this fall!”

The term “expressive arts therapy” refers to a therapeutic approach that utilizes a variety of creative processes to help individuals learn to express and explore their feelings, while helping them to process their emotions. 

“Having an array of creative mediums to choose from and express with, such as visual arts, music, and creative writing, gives clients and students a wider range of play, and a larger outlet to explore their experiences,” said Liu. “Over time, one can learn how to communicate in new ways, cope with stress and anxieties, solve problems, and utilize creative solutions.” Liu continues, “As long as you have something to express, anything can be art.”

By the end of the expressive arts workshop course, the goal is for students to:

● Have a deeper understanding of self and enhanced self-awareness

● Develop a renewed sense of wholeness and well-being

● Gain a toolbox of expressive arts techniques for ongoing self-care and personal growth

● Cultivate a sustainable creative practice to support your continued wellness journey

To learn more about expressive arts, arts in therapy, and more about the Harbor Hall partnership, Crooked Tree Arts Center invites you to read this Q&A with Amabel Liu at crookedtree.org.

Coffee @ 10 Lecture Event Details:

  • Date: Thursday, September 26
  • Time: 10:00 am
  • Location: CTAC - Petoskey, 461 E. Mitchell St. Petoskey MI 49770
  • Cost: Free and open to the public

Healing, Wellness, and Creativity: Expressive Arts Workshop Details:

  • Date: Mondays, November 4 - December 9
  • Time: 5:30 - 7:30 pm
  • Location: CTAC - Petoskey, 461 E. Mitchell St. Petoskey MI 49770
  • Cost: $125 for CTAC Members, $175 for non-members

Images provided by Crooked Tree Arts Center:

Amabel Liu at heART Studio
Amabel Liu outside the heART Studio at Harbor Hall.
Artwork splat
Artwork by a Harbor Hall client, created during an expressive arts therapy session.
Artwork geometric
Artwork by a Harbor Hall client, created during an expressive arts therapy session.

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About the Crooked Tree Arts Center: The mission of the Crooked Tree Arts Center (CTAC) is to create ways for people to connect, learn, and grow through the arts. CTAC offers exhibits, concerts, classes, lectures, special events, and so much more, from its campuses in Petoskey and Traverse City. For more information, please visit www.crookedtree.org.

About Harbor Hall, Inc.: Harbor Hall’s mission is to be recognized by their clients, community, and industry as providing the highest quality services with the highest chance of success. They are committed to meeting the needs of addiction care, physical health, behavioral services, and family needs. They believe that substance-related disorders affect the whole person and are reflected in the individuals’ problems with conduct, attitudes, values, beliefs and emotion regulation. Harbor Hall’s facilities offer residential treatment, outpatient care, and transitional living, with the appropriate level of care determined by their expert team. All treatment services strictly adhere to defined policies, procedures, and employ evidence-based clinical approaches to ensure effective and tailored care for each individual.

Media Contact:
Keely Bomee Platte
Marketing & Communications Manager, Crooked Tree Arts Center
keely@crookedtree.org | 231-347-2718