Join Lotus Outreach and Naropa Community Art Studio – International on April 12, 7-10 PM for SMALL RESOURCES=BIG POSSIBILITIES: 2nd Annual Matchbox Gala & Art Auction

Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art
1750 13th Street | Boulder, CO 80302

In January of 2011, a faculty member and two art therapy graduate students at the Naropa University began to entertain the idea of taking art therapy to social justice organizations abroad.  In a matter of a few months these three organized a team of passionate art therapy students, created a sound fundraising plan and joined in partnership with Transitions Global and Anjali House in Cambodia. Naropa Community Art Studio – International (NCAS-I) was born.

NCAS-I will be returning to Cambodia in May of 2013 (with 11 students and 2 faculty) to conduct a service learning trip to bring art therapy training and interventions to Lotus Outreach’s shelter-based Counseling and Reintegration program on the Thai-Cambodian border. The Counseling and Reintegration project provides a safe haven for victims of human trafficking, rape and domestic violence. Guaranteed physical protection and emotional support provide clients the sanctuary needed for recovery.  At our shelter in Sisophon, near the Thai border, clients are welcome to stay for up to one year, during which time they have access to individual and group counseling, literacy courses, vocational training, life skills classes, legal services and reintegration assistance. Art therapy is an integral part of the Counseling and Reintegration project, particularly in cases where victims of trauma struggle to communicate verbally with their counselors. This event will raise funds both for the service learning trip of Naropa’s Transpersonal Counseling Psychology faculty and grad students, and the LO Counseling and Reintegration program itself.

SMALL RESOURCES=BIG POSSIBILITIES is inspired by a matchbox. The vision is to achieve big goals – an international art therapy partnership – with few resources. The theme expanded when NCAS-I began distributing small muslin bags containing a matchbox and a few inspirational items to local artists and asking them to create a matchbox inspired art piece which will be auctioned at the event. This powerful project brings together community, artists and art therapists toward the common goal of making a positive difference in the lives of Cambodian girls who have been victims of sex trafficking and other forms of Violence Against Women.