The American Art Therapy Association Mourns the Passing of Art Therapy Pioneer Don Jones
artist, teacher, theologian, social activist, and pioneer passes away at 92
It is with great sadness that the American Art Therapy Association announces the passing of art therapy pioneer and AATA Honorary Life Member, Don Jones, ATR. Don was an artist, teacher, theologian, social activist, and pioneer in the profession of art therapy. For nearly six decades he worked with adolescents and adults suffering all manner of mental and emotional disturbances. Along the way he painted-out his life story. Don was a pioneer of art therapy in the United States. His career began during World War II when as a member of the Civilian Public Service Corps, he worked at Marlboro State Hospital in New Jersey. He was one of the founders of the American Art Therapy Association and was one of the early Presidents. He worked for 16 years at the Menninger Hospital in Topeka, KS, and later became the director of the adjunctive therapies department at Harding Hospital in Worthington, Ohio. At Harding he created the Clinical Internship in Art Therapy program that was one of the few clinical sites considered equivalent to a masters degree. Since his retirement he had continued to supervise students, consult with a number of treatment programs, and work in his studio. Don Jones, ATR, HLM, 1923 – 2015 Don’s life and accomplishments will be reflected upon at the Annual AATA Conference in Minneapolis, MN, July 2015.
About the American Art Therapy Association
The American Art Therapy Association, Inc. (AATA) is an organization of professionals dedicated to the belief that making art is healing and life enhancing. Its mission is to serve its members and the general public by providing standards of professional competence and developing and promoting knowledge in, and of, the field of art therapy. For more information, please visit www.arttherapy.org.
