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Artist Spotlight: Karla Reilly Inspired by the natural elements of the beach and bay, artist Karla Reilly brings her talents to the Gulf Coast b y Te s s F a r m e r
“I have had amazing opportunities in my life to help others and to see the world,” says Reilly. “Through humanitarian efforts, motherhood, hard work, support, and the gift of education, I’ve gained invaluable insight and been a first-hand witness to how art can transform and enhance lives.” Inspired by the work of Betty Tisdale, often referred to as the Angel of Saigon and founder of Helping And Loving Orphans (H.A.L.O.), Reilly joined H.A.L.O. as vice president in 2006. In this role she traveled to Southeast Asia and South America to assist children and families living and working in garbage dumps, suffering the effects of Agent Orange, and residing in leper villages. This experience led her to pursue further training in art therapy at Pratt. Upon completion of her degree, Reilly began an art therapy program at the Center for Psychiatric Medicine at UAB Hospital in Birmingham, working with multiple units with acutely mentally ill patients. She simultaneously worked as an art therapist at Children’s Hospital of Alabama in the department of hematology and oncology. “It has been an honor to observe children and adults explore and express their own language through the process of art making, and to recognize the positive effect it has had in their lives,” adds Reilly. Reilly has worked extensively with children and adults to process trauma, PTSD, those who have been victims of human trafficking, as well as children and adults going through life changes like divorce and loss of loved ones. “I am excited about what the future holds and looking forward to bringing the value of this type of therapy to the area,” Reilly says. “I welcome vulnerability, opportunity, and empathetic witnessing. It is unveiled in the process, the materials, and a bit of guidance.” She is currently creating her own work, focusing on animation and visual storytelling, which often uses natural materials from the local environment like shells and other elements from the sea. She also does encaustic painting; all this while teaching graduate students during the summer and building a private practice in art therapy and sand play therapy. Reilly is committed to giving back to the community. She will offer informational meetings on the power of art therapy and will be accepting clients for art therapy sessions, as well as group sessions, to begin this fall.
Artist Karla Reilly
A fter living and working across the world, Karla Reilly has returned to the Gulf Coast shores where she spent much of her childhood. This time she brings years of experience and talents as an artist and board-certified art therapist. She also has an outstanding vision for how art can bring together the communities in Northwest Florida. “One of the beautiful things about the art therapy process is that we don’t need skill to create,” says Reilly. “It is within each of us, and always has been and always will be, since the beginning of time. We are inherently made to create and communicate. I have witnessed the healing powers of art therapy in others and in myself, and it is a truth that I aspire to live by.” Reilly received her Master’s degree in Painting and Fine Arts from Florida State and then trained at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, receiving a second Master’s in Art Therapy and Creativity Development. At Pratt the curriculum is based on a combination of personal experience, didactic learning and practical application, and is rooted in the primacy of creative process and psychodynamic theory. Reilly has traveled the world giving back in the way of humanitarian efforts and applying her training in art therapy. Art therapy involves using creative techniques, such as drawing, painting, collage, coloring, or sculpting, to help people express themselves artistically and examine
the psychological and emotional undertones in their art. With the guidance of an art therapist, individuals can “decode” the nonverbal messages, symbols, and metaphors often found in these art forms, which often lead to a better understanding of their feelings and behavior so they can move on to resolve deeper issues. Reilly is now focused on establishing a private practice here in Northwest Florida, an area that has been formative for her and her family. She provides services on a contract basis, as well as introductory workshops for non-profit organizations to better understand the value of art therapy. She also maintains her role as visiting instructor at Pratt Institute in the Graduate Department of the Creative Art Therapy program.
For more information, contact Karla Reilly at karlafossreilly@gmail.com.
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