Date of Award

Spring 5-17-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Expressive Therapies

Major

Expressive Therapies

First Advisor

Dr. E. Kellogg, PhD.

Abstract

This thesis explores the intersection of Queer resilience, expressive arts therapy, and community-building practices within marginalized communities – particularly focusing on how Queer communities have utilized art as means of survival, perseverance, and legacy in times of struggle. Queer communities have consistently turned to artistic gestures of expression as a way to not only resist oppression, but to also preserve collective memory and identity. In a world experiencing heightened stress, disconnection, and violence, finding ways to maintain hope is critical.

Through the lenses of trauma-informed expressive arts therapy, Queer aesthetic sensibility, and Queer melancholia, this paper examines how artistic practices serve as a sanctuary for processing grief, navigating trauma, and affirming one's identity amidst adversity. The expressive arts offer more than mere therapeutic interventions; they provide a collective space where individuals can connect with themselves and each-other, nourishing a sense of belonging and shared experience. Through an emphasis on storytelling, performance, and co-creation, this thesis demonstrates how these practices serve as instruments of resilience – which connect participants to legacies of the past, present, and future. The work also explores how expressive arts therapy is a suitable complement to existing community-based healing practices, which can enhance the Queer pursuit of joy, transformation, and liberation.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License

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