The Master of Performing and Visual Arts Studies Program, Graduate School of Gadjah Mada University, held a Guest Lecture entitled “Arts for the Blues: Bridging the Arts and Psychotherapy” on Friday, September 19th 2025, in the 5th-floor Auditorium of the UGM Graduate School. The event featured two speakers from the University of Salford, England: Professor Scott Thurston, an expert in performance writing and experimental poetry, and Dr. Joanna Omylinska-Thurston, a clinical psychologist and researcher in arts-based psychotherapy interventions.
This event aimed to introduce the concept and methodology of Arts for the Blues, an innovative approach to psychotherapy that integrates various arts with clinical practice to support mental health and emotional well-being. In her presentation, Dr. Joanna explained that art can be an important medium for individuals to express feelings, process emotions, and build positive social connections. Meanwhile, Prof. Scott emphasized the potential of performance writing and other arts practices in helping individuals understand themselves and creatively cope with psychological distress.
The event, held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. WIB, was met with high enthusiasm from the participants, who included students, lecturers, interdisciplinary researchers, and arts and mental health practitioners. The lively discussion and question-and-answer session demonstrated the strong interest in this interdisciplinary approach that combines art and psychotherapy.
The Chief of the Performing and Visual Arts Studies Master Program, Dr. Rr. Paramitha Dyah Fitriasari, M.Hum. expressed her hope that this activity would strengthen academic collaboration and broaden students’ understanding of the role of art in supporting human well-being. She emphasized that art serves not only as an aesthetic expression but also has therapeutic power that can improve the quality of life.
This activity is expected to open up space for further dialogue and collaboration between academics, practitioners, and the community to develop creative approaches that contribute in improving mental health and social well-being in Indonesia.
Author: Elisa Cahya Kristiana
Editor: Burhanul Aqil