About Elizabeth Bryan-Jacobs

About Elizabeth Bryan-Jacobs

Creative Awakenings Retreats

Drawing from transpersonal psychology and world wisdom traditions, my work is grounded in the belief that growth and well-being extend well beyond the boundaries of what can be seen. Experiences of intuition, deep knowing, and synchronicity lift up opportunities for insight, healing and living more skillfully.

Drawing from transpersonal psychology and world wisdom traditions, my work is grounded in the belief that growth and well-being extend well beyond the boundaries of what can be seen. Experiences of intuition, deep knowing, and synchronicity lift up opportunities for insight, healing and living more skillfully.

Elizabeth Bryan-Jacobs, ATR-PThe process and products of art-making increase our access to what we cannot see, what may be too difficult to say, or what may not yet be known. In this way, we can engage our imagination to support us in coping, accessing insight and envisioning a forward path. Incorporating creativity with contemplative practices like meditation, ritual and time in nature deepen the journey into the unconscious, where we explore the Jungian realms of symbol, metaphor and archetype. The art borne from this process is a visual reminder that honors our experience, bringing forward wisdom from the deepest parts of our soul.

As fellow travelers on this journey, my recipe of art therapy, dreamwork and contemplative practice is personalized to every client. In this way, I create a space to awaken you to an abiding connection with your innermost self. Together, we will embark on a journey that brings forward your innate ability for profound self-renewal.

Cultural responsiveness is a cornerstone of my practice. Attuning to and honoring the diverse cultures and experiences of my clients allows me to provide supportive interventions that are aligned with their rich and varied worldviews.

The work that I share in private practice and retreats is grounded in clinical and consciousness research. Over two decades ago, I founded Creative Awakenings: Where Spirit Meets Science, a transformational program that I am grateful to have shared at venues like Canyon Ranch in Lenox, MA, the Golden Door Spa in San Marcos, CA, the Ojai Valley Spa and Resort and with numerous corporations. I am also privileged to provide art therapy services in hospice, palliative care and for grief support.

In addition to my therapeutic work, I am the author of bestselling Chicken Soup for the Soul: Count Your Blessings, and Soul Models: Transformative Stories of Courage and Compassion. My writing career and field work in compassion have given me the privilege of working with some of the world’s greatest luminaries, including renowned human behaviorist, Dr. John Demartini, Dr. Rick Hanson (bestselling author, “Buddha’s Brain”), and Temple Grandin, among many others. I am currently working on my latest book, inspired by the profound journey of arts-based dreamwork.

I am most grateful that my journey began and also continues as a dedicated artist, with works in numerous private and corporate collections, including Dell Children’s Hospital and Healthline Media.

I am also devoted to providing the benefits of community arts with those in need who may not have access. Along with my husband, artist Bobby Jacobs, I founded The Spread Your Wings Project, a non-profit devoted to sharing the benefits of community art-making in response to the challenges faced by our nation today. For more information, visit TheSpreadYourWingsProject.org.

The Spread Your Wings Project – Elizabeth Bryan-Jacobs

“Spread Your Wings”
 mixed media sculpture, 39 x 78 inches
Collection of Dell Children’s Hospital, Austin, TX

The process and products of art-making increase our access to what we cannot see, what may be too difficult to say, or what may not yet be known. In this way, we can engage our imagination to support us in coping, accessing insight and envisioning a forward path. Incorporating creativity with contemplative practices like meditation, ritual and time in nature deepen the journey into the unconscious, where we explore the Jungian realms of symbol, metaphor and archetype. The art borne from this process is a visual reminder that honors our experience, bringing forward wisdom from the deepest parts of our soul.

Elizabeth Bryan-Jacobs, ATR-P

As fellow travelers on this journey, my recipe of art therapy, dreamwork and contemplative practice is personalized to every client. In this way, I create a space to awaken you to an abiding connection with your innermost self. Together, we will embark on a journey that brings forward your innate ability for profound self-renewal.

“Earth Mandala,” found wood and stones

Cultural responsiveness is a cornerstone of my practice. Attuning to and honoring the diverse cultures and experiences of my clients allows me to provide supportive interventions that are aligned with their rich and varied worldviews.

The work that I share in private practice and retreats is grounded in clinical and consciousness research. Over two decades ago, I founded Creative Awakenings: Where Spirit Meets Science, a transformational program that I am grateful to have shared at venues like Canyon Ranch in Lenox, MA, the Golden Door Spa in San Marcos, CA, the Ojai Valley Spa and Resort and with numerous corporations. I am also privileged to provide art therapy services in hospice, palliative care and for grief support.

In addition to my therapeutic work, I am the author of bestselling Chicken Soup for the Soul: Count Your Blessings, and Soul Models: Transformative Stories of Courage and Compassion. My writing career and field work in compassion have given me the privilege of working with some of the world’s greatest luminaries, including renowned human behaviorist, Dr. John Demartini, Dr. Rick Hanson (bestselling author, “Buddha’s Brain”), and Temple Grandin, among many others. I am currently working on my latest book, inspired by the profound journey of arts-based dreamwork.

I am most grateful that my journey began and also continues as a dedicated artist, with works in numerous private and corporate collections, including Dell Children’s Hospital and Healthline Media.

I am also devoted to providing the benefits of community arts with those in need who may not have access. Along with my husband, artist Bobby Jacobs, I founded The Spread Your Wings Project, a non-profit devoted to sharing the benefits of community art-making in response to the challenges faced by our nation today. For more information, visit TheSpreadYourWingsProject.org.

The Spread Your Wings Project – Elizabeth Bryan-Jacobs

“Spread Your Wings”
 mixed media sculpture, 39 x 78 inches
Collection of Dell Children’s Hospital, Austin, TX

CV (Click to Expand)

2023:  Awakenings Dream Circles, Uplands Retreat Center, Walton, NY

2023:  The Art of Bereavement  with Helios Care Hospice and Palliative Care

2023:  A Time for Healing, Uplands Retreat Center, Walton, NY, with Helios Care Hospice and Palliative Care

2023  Virtual Dream Circles: group and private practice<

2022 Natural Connections Virtual Workshop, American Art Therapy Association Conference

2021  The Art of Bereavement; Uplands Retreat Center, Walton, NY, with Helios Care Hospice and Palliative Care

2021 The Artist in the Art Therapist, The Artist in You: Interactive Speaker Series with Dr. Barbara Fish, PhD, ART-BC, ATCS, LCPC, HLM and the Hammond Museum

2021  The Art of Grief, Uplands Retreat Center, Walton, NY with Helios Care Hospice

2020  Healthline Media/Chronicron Corporate Creativity Event

2019 Creative Awakenings Women’s Wellness Event, Isabella Garrucho Fine Art, Greenwich, CT

2019  Spread Your Wings with Wingman/Dylan’s Wings of Change, Fairfield, CT

2017-2018 Creative Awakenings, Canyon Ranch, Lenox, MA

2017  Spread Your Wings, Dell Children’s Hospital, Austin, TX

2016 Creative Awakenings Client Appreciation Event, Bahr Investment Group, Carlsbad, CA

2013 – 2015 Creative Awakenings, Golden Door Spa, San Marcos, CA

2013 Creative Awakenings, Ojai Spa and Resort, Ojai, CA

2013 Soul Models Retreat, Golden Door Spa, San Marcos, CA

2021 Stone Canoe Journal, 2021 Edition, Featured Artist

2014 Soul Models: Transformative Stories of Courage and Compassion, HCI Publishing

2009 Chicken Soup for the Soul: Count Your Blessings

2024 Honorable Mention, Teravarna Nature International Juried Art Competition

2023 Meditation Expert Panel Member, Translational Sciences Dissertation, Juliet King, PhDc, ATR-BC, LPC, LMHC

2022 to Present:  Board Member, Art Therapy House, Brown Deer, WI

2019 “Award of Excellence,” The Healing Power of Art Online Exhibition

2018 Elizabeth Bryan-Jacobs and “Spread Your Wings Community Arts Project” honored with Agnes Gund, President Emerita, MOMA, founder, “Studio in a School,” and Chelsea Clinton, “Too Small to Fail,” for Bloomingdales Mother’s Day Campaign, “Moms that Matter”

1994   Elected to New York City’s Artist-in-Residence Program

2023  Masters in Art therapy, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College

1984 BFA in University of Massachusetts, Amherst

2021 Roberson Museum Regional Art Competition, February 2021 – August 1, 2021

2021 Hammond Museum, North Salem, New York: February Virtual Exhibition

2021  “Love and Passion” Virtual Exhibition, Karen Mannix Contemporary, East Hampton, NY

2020  Hammond Museum Virtual Exhibition, June 6, 2020 — June 5, 2021

2020 “In the Abstract,” Brooklyn Gallery, curator Gail Levin, formerly of Whitney Museum of Art

2020 “Spring Forward,” online art exhibition, Arcade Project Curatorial

2019 “Homage to Georgia,” solo exhibition, Isabella Garrucho Fine Art

2019 “Award of Excellence,” The Healing Power of Art Online Exhibition

2018 “Transitions,” Wolfe Wilde, Oneonta, NY

2018  “Earth,” The Tubac Center of the Arts in Arizona

2017  “New Directions 2017,” Barrett Art Center, NY, curated by Ruth Erickson, Associate Curator, Institute of Contemporary Art Boston

2017  “Inspirations,” Hammond Art Museum, Westchester, NY.,  Curated by Judy Hecker, Director of International Print Center, NY, and former Assistant Curator,  Department of Drawings and Prints, The Museum of Modern Art, NYC

2017   Russell Fine Art, Austin, TX

2017   Dell Children’s Hospital, Art of Giving 2017: Spread Your Wings

2016-2017   Creative Awakenings, Canyon Ranch, Lenox, MA

2016   Summer Heat Exhibition, Rossetti Fine Art, Ft. Lauderdale, FLA

2013   Art off the Walls, Merc Gallery, Temecula, CA

2009   Las Vegas/Clark County Members Show, Honorable Mention

2005   Las Olas Fine Arts, Ft. Lauderdale, FLA

2004   “Earthworks,” Solo exhibition, 2004 Gallery P, Henderson, Nevada

2003   Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center,  Las Vegas, Nevada: “Funny Bones” project; rallied local school to decorate hospital gowns for hospitalized kids

2002   The Arts Factory, Las Vegas, NV

2000   “Journeys,” Solo Exhibition, Lowell Gallery, Aspen Colorado,

1999   Sylvia White Gallery, Santa Monica, California

1995   Aspen Art Museum, Aspen, Colorado

1992  Vered Gallery, East Hampton, NY

1990   Springs Invitational, East Hampton, NY

1987 – 1989  “Assemblage/Collage” Exhibition: Traveling Group Exhibition, including works by Robert Motherwell, Chuck Close, James Hendricks, and Gregory Gillespie, among others.

1989   Herter Art Gallery, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA. 1989

1989   Nesto Gallery, Milton Academy, Milton, MA

1988   Donang Gallery, Seoul Institute of the Arts, Seoul, Korea 1988, (in conjunction with the World Olympics Art Festival)

1988   Berkshire Artisan’s Community Arts Center Pittsfield, MA. 1988

1987   The Lamont Gallery, Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, New Hampshire

1987   Maris Gallery, Westfield State College, Westfield MA

1984-1985   MAG Gallery, Larchmont, N.Y

Bassett Memorial Hospital, Cooperstown, NY

Hammond Art Museum, North Salem, NY

Dell Children’s Hospital, Austin TX

Boulder City Veteran’s Home, Boulder City, NV

Foundation for the Junior Blind, Los Angeles, CA