2011-2012 BATA Board of Directors

President

Michele Tarsitano-Amato, MA, ATR-BC

completed her undergraduate degree in art therapy from Ohio University in 1988 and completed her

Masters in art therapy from Ursuline College in 1991.  Michele went on to become a member of the Buckeye

Art Therapy Association Board, serving as past Secretary,  Legislative Chair, and 1st Vice President.

Michele currently works as the Director of Creative Arts Therapy with Kendal at Oberlin (since 1993) where she is responsible for the oversight of the Recreational Therapy and Fitness Center departments at a continuing care retirement community. She is passionate about bringing art to seniors and creating an environment where making art is possible regardless of physical or cognitive decline. Michele has offered workshops and presentation on Art Therapy with those afflicted with Alzheimer's, The Journey Stick, Marking Your Pain, to mention a few.

First Vice President

Molly Kohut, MA, ATR-BC, PC

grew up with an appreciation for nature, education, and the arts.  She loved to color as a child and was always

creating something.  Molly attended Miami University, graduating in Art Education with fond memories of working with the children with special needs.  Molly graduated from  Ursuline College with a Master of Arts in Art Therapy and Counseling, with a focus on bereavement work with children.  She currently works at Hospice of the Western Reserve as a Children’s Bereavement Coordinator, and is a Professional Counselor and a Board Certified Art Therapist.  Molly enjoys collage and altered art and participating in collaborative art projects.  Molly is very excited to be on the Buckeye Art Therapy Association Board, and she looks forward to the opportunity of serving the art therapy community.

Second Vice President

Marshae Amarante, ATR-BC

Marshae completed her undergraduate degrees in art therapy and psychology from Ohio University in 1993

and completed her Masters in Expressive Therapies from University of Louisville in 1996. Marshae has been a

member of the Buckeye Art Therapy Association serving as past Secretary on the board. Marshae has worked with children, adolescents and adults at Hospice of the Bluegrass for over 15 years specializing in grief, trauma and loss. Marshae lives in Northern Kentucky with her husband and daughter, and dabbles in fabric art, pottery and collage work.

Secretary

Jacquelyn Martin, M.Ed., ATR-BC

has been a member of BATA since 1974 and thanks to this continuous membership she has experienced a plethora of creativity, camaraderie, compassion, and increased knowledge of our field. She would like to contribute her time and energy for both professional and personal development. Jacky has served on

the Board in the roles of President, Ist Vice-President, 2^nd Vice-President, Corresponding Secretary, Publications Chair Research Chair, Chapter Delegate and Alternative Delegate.  Jacky received got her undergraduate degree in art history at the University of Rhode Island, graduated from the Art Psychotherapy Institute of Cleveland, and received her Master’s in Education in School Counseling at Kent State University. Her work has principally been with individuals with developmental disabilities. She is currently in part time private practice at Fairhaven Counseling in Cuyahoga Falls, OH.

Treasurer

Yvette “Roxi” Tolbert, ATR-BC, PCC-S

works at the Center for Families and Children's West Office providing art therapy and counseling services for inner city youth, families, and adults. She also provides supervision for those seeking their ATR and their PCC. Roxi graduated from Ursuline College in 2006 with her MA and also has an MFA in ceramics from Kent State University. She is married, has two cats, and enjoys working on mandalas, painting, and sculpting in clay. Roxi is hoping to incorporate more groups into her current practice and to provide BATA with support throughout the coming years as treasurer.

Membership Chair

**To Be Appointed ***

The Membership Chair is responsible for the following:

• Leading the Membership Champaign (now digitalized with new membership web-based database and directory)
• Honorary Lifetime Member (HLM) call for nominations, organizing information and working with Secretary to submit for vote.
• Call for nominations and organizing information for  AATA Chapter Distinguished Service Award
•  Membership Directory (This is no longer hard copy published, it is now available in the members only section of BATA’s website.)  Membership Chair is essential in assisting members in navigating their profiles and information.
•  Verifying that all BATA members are AATA members, except for Friends of BATA Category.

if interested in serving on the BOD please contact Michele Tarsitano-Amato at info@buckeyearttherapy.org

Bylaws Chair

Anne Harding, MA

Is a graduated from SMWC College in Terre Haute Indiana in 2006. She currently works at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center as a program specialist and art therapist. As a clinical art therapist she has the opportunity to work with cancer survivors of all ages and their caregivers. Her work includes in-patient individual therapy and groups and also out-patient groups and workshops. People who pass by her office say she must have the best job in the hospital. Anne has been the recipient of several grants, has presented at BATA, and recently co-authored a chapter on expressive arts in a hospital setting for a nursing text. Anne also works as a contract art therapist with Amethyst, a rehab treatment center, and various other contract jobs. Prior to getting her degree in art therapy she taught art in an elementary school. She currently resides in Columbus, Ohio with four rescue cats.

Clinical Chair

Mary Sender, MA, ATR

has over 20 years of professional experience in academia, public, and private organizations.  Mary is currently a Professor and Program Manager of the Art Therapy Program at Cuyahoga Community College. Prior to this position, Mary Sender was Director and Program Manager for disabled students at Tri-C for 14 years.. She served as academic counselor in higher education student affairs. She speaks locally and nationally on such topics as ADA, Accommodating Students in Higher Education, Rights of People with Disabilities, learning disabilities, ethics, and more.  Before her role at Tri-C, Mary Sender was the Health, Physical, Education and Recreation Director at Lakewood YMCA.  She also was an Activity Therapy Director at Northside Hospital in Youngstown where she directed this program for over 7 years. While working at the hospital, she created a program for the adult, adolescent, and rehabilitation units consisting of art therapy, music therapy, physical therapy, and movement groups. During this time she also took art therapy courses at the University of Illinois with Harriet Wadeson and Bob Ault.  Mary obtained her Masters in Art Therapy and Counseling at Ursuline College’s first graduating art therapy class in 1989. Mary obtained her undergraduate degree in Activity Therapy, Business and a minor in Arts and Health from Ohio State University. She is also a national Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. Mary's past BATA Board work has included serving four years as BATA's External Relations Chair and BATA's Alternate Chapter Delegate.

Publications Chair

Meghan Breitzmann, MA, ATR-BC, PC,

is a 2000 graduate of Capital University in Columbus, where she earned her BA in Art Therapy. In 2003 Meghan earned her MA in Art Therapy Counseling from Ursuline College.  Following grad school, Meghan worked for nearly 5 years as a children’s bereavement coordinator at Hospice of the Western Reserve in Cleveland, where she provided art therapy to grieving children in group, school, and home settings. As Publications Chair since early 2010, her work for BATA includes sending weekly e-blasts to BATA members, as well as editing and publishing each issue of The Palette.

External Relations Chair/Alternate Chapter Delegate

Charlene Taylor, MA, ATR-BC

iis a graduate of Ursuline College where she received a Master of Arts in Art Therapy and Counseling.   She is a Registered and Board Certified Art Therapist and an adjunct art therapy instructor at Lourdes College in Sylvania, Ohio.  Charlene has worked in a variety of therapeutic settings but specializes in work with children, for whom she has provided medical and palliative care art therapy, as well as bereavement services.  Currently, Charlene is pursuing counseling licensure as a mental health professional.  She continues to work as a children’s therapist in the Toledo, Ohio area, and for the Art Therapy Studio of Cleveland, providing wellness groups to employees of a locally based company.   She enjoys painting, music and writing.

Legislative Chair/AATA Chapter Delegate

Don Cutcher, HLM, ATR-BC, LCAT

Don has been involved with Art Therapy since 1973 and has held both committee and board positions in BATA and AATA, as well as other professional associations. Don practices and provides services in a private practice office, with three licensed psychologists. Services are provided to clients who have experienced a physical or psychological trauma in the workplace. Don has provided training in the areas of special populations, ethics and policy/procedure development. Don has previously served BATA as President, GAC Chair and has continued to be active and to serve on committees including Bylaws. Legislative and Nominations. He has provided testimony to legislative bodies and other professional associations on Art Therapy and Licensure. He is the one of the co-founders and is treasurer of Art Therapy Without Borders, a not for profit organization since 2009.

Resources Chair

**To Be Appointed ***

The Resource Chair is responsible for the following:

• The promotion and exchange of professional publications that stimulate and encourage members to take a more active role in their profession.
• Providing grants and funding information to membership, through eblasts and maintaining page information in the members only section of BATA’s website.
• Manage the BATA Request for Funds process and applications.
• Report on educational resources for others who wish to pursue a license through another door.

if interested in serving on the BOD please contact Michele Tarsitano-Amato at info@buckeyearttherapy.org