Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist when he grows up. -- Pablo Picasso

Announcing New S T A F F:
The ART IN HAND program is delighted to introduce two fabulous new instructors! All ART IN HAND instructors are highly qualified, creative individuals with varied experiences in the arts and with children. Through class participation and observation and ongoing training and consultation directly with Julie Liddle, all instructors are well versed in the unique philosophy and approach that defines the ART IN HAND program. We are truly excited about bringing art into the lives of young children and their families, and are always brainstorming new and imaginative ways of connecting children and their parents to the art that is ever-present in their world…in nature, in children’s books, and in their own sensory explorations with materials.
Nicole Holohan
Tracey Somers
Tina Shepard

About the Founder/Director
ART IN HAND was established in 2001 by Julie Liddle, a registered art therapist who enjoyed providing therapeutic art experiences for children with special needs in a school setting for nearly a decade. Then she became a mother. When her first child was old enough to sit up and grasp a marker, and she began to witness first-hand his developmental process as reflected in his art expressions, Julie knew that she had to apply her background as an art therapist in a new arena — and develop a program that would support, enhance, and celebrate the creativity that is born in each of us, but sadly, is nurtured in too few.

Julie’s goals are to provide enriching, stimulating, and unique opportunities for the very youngest artists among us to interact with quality art media and interesting found objects and nature materials (no googly eyes or glitter). She seeks to create a safe, supportive environment where young children can feel free to make choices, messes, and masterpieces, and their caring adult partner can revel in witnessing it all. Additionally, Julie enjoys fostering language development and emergent literacy in young children; therefore, she regularly raids her children’s bookshelves in order to interweave fun and beautiful children’s books into each session. Finally, ART IN HAND strives to ignite in parents both the confidence and the sense of adventure to enjoy the art process with their children at home.

Julie received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Cornell University and a Master of Arts in Art Therapy from George Washington University. She was Director of Art Therapy at Accotink Academy and taught infants, toddlers, and preschoolers at the Fairfax County Employees’ Childcare Center. She is also co-coordinator of GRACE Art in the Schools (a PTA sponsored art enrichment program) at her son’s elementary school. Julie’s best inspiration and training come from raising her own young children (ages 9 and 6), who have taught her volumes about the uniqueness of each child’s creative spirit.

Julie is a member of NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children), NVAEYC (Northern Virginia Association for the Education of Young Children), AATA (American Art Therapy Association), and PATA (Potomac Art Therapy Association).
Contact: 703-264-0407 artinhand@cox.net

To learn more about Julie and how her background informs her unique approach, read her interview on "The Artful Parent" at: http://artfulparent.wordpress.com/2008/07/21/
julie-liddle-an-art-therapists-perspective/

Nicole Holohan:__________________________(page up)
Nicole Holohan began drawing, painting and sculpting at an early age when she attended numerous art classes. Her love of artistic expression, as well as a desire to help others, lead her to pursue a career in art therapy. During her training, she provided art therapy to children, adults and families in a variety of settings. After receiving her Master’s degree in art therapy from the George Washington University in 2000 she worked as the art therapist in a special education school for eight years. There she encouraged and supported the creative process in order to address students’ social- emotional needs.

The birth of her daughter in July of 2009, lead Nicole to seek new outlets for her artistic and professional talents. Recently, Nicole has taken to making artwork and toys for her daughter to explore and enjoy, and she eagerly anticipates witnessing her daughter’s creative development and artistic adventures in the months and years ahead. She is eager to be a part of ART IN HAND where she can share her passion for the artistic process with young children.

Tina Shepard: __________________________(page up)
Tina Shepard has enjoyed a love of the arts beginning with her own childhood and has continued to develop her interest into adulthood. She is now sharing that love with her three-year-old son and with other children through the ART IN HAND Program.

Tina's parents picked up on her passion to create and explore art at an early age and enrolled her in all available classes. As an adult, she has formally studied oil painting, watercolors, and photography and has experimented with many other materials like acrylics, plasters and alternative printing techniques. Tina has displayed and sold many of her paintings and photographs. She has a Bachelor of Science degree and is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

When her son was one, she started introducing him to art experiences at home. Later, they enrolled in the ART IN HAND Creative Beginnings for Tiny Tots class. Through her own participation in ART IN HAND with her then two-year-old son, she learned that the beauty of art can be found in the creative process itself, as well as the final product.

Tina is very excited to be a part of the ART IN HAND Program. Art has been a rewarding part of her life and she is glad to have the opportunity to share that with other families.

Tracey Somers: __________________________(page up)
Tracey’s educational background includes a mix of psychology and art. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Boston University and her Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Argosy University in Arlington, VA. She currently freelances, working mostly in science and medical writing.

While at Boston University, Tracey interned at a modern art gallery in London and studied art and psychology. She later focused on clinical psychology and interned at a community mental health clinic in Maryland where she started a female empowerment group. After receiving her Masters, Tracey worked as the elementary school therapist at a DC public charter school. She helped build the therapy program from the ground up and conducted individual, group, and family therapy sessions—at times employing art media for emotional, nonverbal expression.

Much of Tracey’s inspiration to foster creativity in her and her family’s lives stems from her grandfather, who studies and writes about art and crafts vibrant indoor and outdoor sculpture.

With a love and appreciation of art and free thinking, Tracey actively encourages creativity and exploration through art in her two children. Her three-year-old son and one-year-old daughter enjoy experimenting with paints and decoupaging a big cardboard box, or watching chalked colors blend and darken when they paint over them with water. Tracey and her son have taken the ART IN HAND Creative Beginnings for Tiny Tots class, while her daughter looked on with interest.

Tracey is a member of NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) and NVAEYC (Northern Virginia Association for the Education of Young Children).