College of Psychology and Humanistic Studies

Whitney Houston, creativity, and drug use -- When is Enough Enough?

by Steven R. Pritzker

When I was producing television, I met Whitney Houston. She was suggested by a network for a guest role on a show I was producing. I had never heard of her so they sent over a copy of her singing "I'm Saving All My Love for You." Before the song was over, I knew that I was willing to give her a shot even though she had never acted before. Not only was she a fantastic singer, but she really jumped off the screen with a luminous energy.

The week that we did the taping, Whitney couldn't have been nicer. She was about 20 at the time and seemed to be surprised and delighted at her new found fame. As I've watched her very public struggle with drugs and an abusive marriage, it has been heartbreaking. How did that joyous talented young woman turn into a pathetic drug addict?

Of course it is a common story in the entertainment business and especially among musicians. Quincy Jones, the renowned music producer, said on CBS News that he "was angry about her drug use" but recalled the similar problems of Ray Charles and Jimi Hendrix. He offered his opinion that he doesn't think there's going to be any change in the music industry in a clip available at http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7398559n&tag=mncol;lst;1

Natalie Rogers' new book explores expressive arts for social change

“Creativity is like freedom: once you taste it, you cannot life without it. It is a transformational force, enhancing self-esteem and self-empowerment.” --  Natalie Rogers

Natalie Rogers, PhD, founder of the transformational Creative Connection® system of person-centered expressive arts has published an all-in-one guide to group facilitation titled: The Creative Connection for Groups ~ Person-Centered Expressive Arts for Healing and Social Change, which, I believe, has the power to impact personal and global transformation and healing. 

Every step of her unique, intermodal expressive arts process is explained in a way which allows readers to take part in the exercises as if they were participating in a workshop intensive. The tools, procedures, and resources designed to initiate creative action have all been included, making it a ‘must have’ book for anyone ready to stimulate growth through expressive creative action. This book is a soulful wake-up call for a world in crisis which requires new ways of seeing, acting, and being to begin the journey toward peace through community engagement. Natalie Rogers writes: “Using creative expression to get acquainted with oneself – one’ values, thoughts, feelings, hopes, and dreams – is imperative in today’s world” (p. 4). The next step – using expressive arts to build community and move in the direction of inner and world peace – is the goal closest to Rogers’ heart. The underlying theme of the book is encouragement of expressive arts being used in groups as a vehicle for personal growth, transpersonal work, and building a sense of belonging and community (Rogers, 2011, p. 208).

Saybrook Student Aurora Sidney-Ando Leads Art for Peace Project

Art for Peace: An Evolving Mural Project is about collaboration, dialogue, and insight
using visual arts. The means for encouraging harmonious interaction and
effective communication is through mural projects that have no end date leaving
them in a perpetual state of evolution. This project is based on three beliefs:

1. Visual arts can be used as a communication tool.

2. Clear communication moves us closer to peaceful interactions.

3. There is a reciprocal relationship between what we see and what we think and
feel.

These mural projects for peace are about encouraging intentional thoughts
towards peace. Everyone is welcome to participate and paint or write their
ideas on what is needed to move us closer to social harmony. This project is
about creating and encouraging beauty within communities and it is about
empowering people to share what they think with others in a creative visual
format.

Ruth Richards, students, and alumni of Saybrook's Creatitivy Studies program featured in journal

I was honored to be asked by Cheryl Fracasso and Harris Friedman to contribute to a special Leaders and Mentors issue of Neuroquantology.  What a great way to highlight Creativity at Saybrook, and our new programs, I thought!  The attached article is called Creativity Revisited.

As per the format, I did need to say a few things about my own curious background and path, and added some useful research findings on creativity and mental health.   But I then switched to Saybrook, the development of our Creativity programs, and colorful figures such as Stan Krippner, and Steve Pritzker. 

The best part of all was when I got all of ten (10) Saybrook students/alums to write about their own experience, their own work with creativity, and their own visions for the future.  Clearly this (the last half) is the best part!  Judith Kolva, Ph.D., Alumna who just did the wonderful memoir for Saybrook's 40th anniversary, edited this last part, and put in her own amazing story. 

Denita Benyshek (who is almost done with her doctorate!) decided to write her own piece for Neuroquantology, which I hope you will see later on--along with her own original artwork.

See what you think (PDF).  Oh yes, there are stunning photos of these 10 Saybrook graduate students/alums, including Judith.  Are Saybrook Creativity graduate students naturally good looking? Seems so  :-) 

-- Ruth Richards

Protecting the Earth's sacred places through education and action

Earth Island Institute’s Sacred Land Film Project produces a variety of media and educational materials — films, videos, DVDs, articles, photographs, school curricula materials and Web site content — to deepen public understanding of sacred places, indigenous cultures and environmental justice. Their mission is to use journalism, organizing and activism to rekindle reverence for land, increase respect for cultural diversity, stimulate dialogue about connections between nature and culture, and protect sacred lands and diverse spiritual practices. For the last decade they have focused on the production and distribution of the documentary film, In the Light of Reverence. They are currently developing a four-part series on sacred places around the world, entitled Standing on Sacred Ground.

In addition to their films, the Sacred Land website houses many useful resources, including Tools for Action, Native Media links, and a Map of Sacred Sites.