Participant testimonials

As Haley’s Mom I don’t know where we would be emotionally, at this stage of the Pandemic, if not for our Art Therapy Express Family. Art Therapy Express Program never missed a beat. One day our doors were closed physically and the next we held classes on Zoom, never batting an eye or looking back. We just moved forward to protect all the artists’ bonds, their emotions, and artistic creativity, with the overall goal of decreasing isolation during a horrific time, concentrating on joy, not sadness.  Lisa Bartoli was and continues to be a big part of Haley and our family’s forecast of our week, looking forward to each and every exciting adventure being bestowed upon us, like Haley says like a “firework”. Each week we have a purpose to see joy not sorrow, happiness not sadness, hopefulness not despair, share our emotions not bottle them up, plan for a day not retreat, gather with friends not isolate, social distance ourselves and stay safe. When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. Each week our cup overflowed with the excitement of a new project to do collectively and separately. Our most favorite part of the session was waiting to see how everyone else worked their masterpieces with the Grande Finale of a group picture. We were able to heal and mend our hearts, during a time in history where it most certainly was needed from the CoVID-19 pandemic. 

From the bottom of our hearts we thank you for all you have done and continue to do to keep ATE going in all our hearts, spreading the “Joy of Art.”

The Shibers

Art Therapy Express has been a tremendous resource for our family both prior to and during the pandemic. The program never lost a beat, transitioning seamlessly from on-site, in-studio art sessions to weekly virtual art sessions. My son, who has cerebral palsy, looked forward to connecting with his friends and working on a creative new project each week. Art Therapy Express also provided a weekly virtual outlet for caregivers where we could work on our own art projects, share our successes and concerns, and get support and encouragement from friends. We are all looking forward to building on the wonderful friendships we have developed by safely meeting in-person again, sharing new artistic endeavors, celebrating each other’s accomplishments and exploring local venues together such as Longwood Gardens, local art museums, etc. Lisa, the Director of Art Therapy Express, has instilled a sense of family and caring that touches everyone who participates in this wonderful program.

Coming into Art Therapy Express as an intern I could see immediately that this program is not just a community, but a family. The connections created here have truly lasted a lifetime for so many participants with the program being a necessary support system for the individuals with disabilities and their caregivers. Aware of this, Lisa Bartoli has dedicated her greatest strengths and compassion to selflessly keeping ATE going for 20 years, even adapting sessions to a virtual format as a way to keep the participants connected and combat the effects of isolation. Any individual who attends an art session leaves with nothing short of great positivity and pride for the artwork they have created!

We love Art Therapy Express 🎨! ATE has been our daughter Marissa’s favorite time of the week since she has joined. Over the past three years ATE has been more than just art - and more than just therapy. It has been a beautiful family connection that has kept love and inspiration in our hearts. When everything was completely shut down, Art Therapy Express was open on Zoom! Every Thursday we would all be on Zoom doing art together. It was incredible. The projects were imaginative and engaging and we were able to use items that we could find around our home and we could find a connection on the screen. When we needed supplies, ATE delivered them. As things began to open up and we were able to get together outdoors, we would meet at Longwood Gardens and Rockwood Park, and do the most beautiful art projects with nature. The beauty of being outdoors and being connected to each other was not only refreshing but rejuvenating for our family. We know that when we are together, there is always positive energy and love for art and love for each other. We have found not only a love of art and learning new things about art but a very strong connection to a beautiful community of artists. We are so very grateful to have found Art Therapy Express and we will always remember ATE as a bright shining light through the darkness of the pandemic. We look forward to many more years of Art Therapy Express.

Dear Lisa,

You have simply done it again! You have wrapped up another year of very awesome art projects and community outings for your artists.

Art is so very special to Melissa. Through art, Melissa paints a picture that she cannot express in words.

So, I thank you once again for giving Melissa the opportunity to participate in the latest ATE adventures alongside her ATE friends virtually and also in in-person community outings such as Rockford Park, Delaware Art Museum and Longwood Gardens. Melissa always looks forward to her fun Art days. Thank you for making Art days so very joyful.

Thank you Lisa for ATE throughout the years. You are the best. I can’t believe it’s been more than 20 years!

Danielle has been very fortunate and very grateful to Art Therapy Express. Since March 1, 2023 Danielle has been hospitalized for nearly 2 months. Fortunately, ATE was being Zoomed, so for those still unable to do in-person studio classes, our population at home or wherever you may be, and in our case the hospital, Danielle was still able to participate. Danielle enjoys doing art and ATE’s art therapist Lisa Bartoli always has wonderful art projects planned from week to week for us to do. With the lesson plans, sent before the session, we have a chance to plan for the upcoming project. Lisa’s interns from several colleges add great fun and also sometimes plan and lead us with an art project with step by step instructions for the group or in individual sessions. These students add so much energy and passion to the program and we are so thankful for their interest and dedication. One morning Danielle had a rough morning from having several attempts to get blood samples. She was very upset and her tears were flowing. So I grabbed my bag that had our art supplies in it and got out the paper plates, coffee filters, watercolor markers, and picked up the tray and sat it in front of Danielle. Her tears were still rolling down her cheeks at this time. I asked her what color she would like to use first. She decided on red. She began to color red circles onto the coffee filter. Next she used blue, then yellow, and orange. It didn’t take long before her tears were all gone and she was all about doing art that she learned to do at ATE. Having experience with doing ATE art really has given Danielle the opportunity to not only have fun with art but she also uses her art to help manage stress and sometimes pain. We surely are grateful for over 20 years of making friends and having ATE in our lives.