Artistic Representation: Promoting Student Creativity and Self-Reflection

Abstract

The authors conducted a qualitative study on the use of artistic representation to promote students' creativity and enhance their ability to self-reflect. The researchers used self-reflection articles about artistic representation and responses to a questionnaire at the end of the semester. Three overarching themes, as seen through the lens of the researchers, were: a) influences on self-reflection, b) emotions elicited during the creative process and classroom presentation, and c) responses following completion of the assignment. Subthemes were identified under emotions elicited during the creative process and classroom presentation and under responses following completion of the assignment. The authors address implications for using a similar activity with clients and considerations for future studies.

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