Christa Kagin

Christa Kagin was born and raised in Kansas. She is a wife and mother of three children. She began her studies in art at Southwestern College, a liberal arts college similar to Benedictine. She then pursued art history in Florence, Italy and art therapy studies as a Rotary Scholar at the University of London, Goldsmith’s College. She earned her Master of Arts in Expressive Therapies from the University of Louisville, in 1999, and also received the Clinical Excellence Award.

As a registered art therapist she has worked in juvenile justice facilities in Kentucky, long and short-term residential psychiatric facilities and as a consultant for foster care transitions. Specializing in trauma, and working also with dual diagnosis, grief and depression, Christa has worked with children and adults. Her current work is in private practice. She is the co-author of the soon to be released Implementing the Expressive Therapies Continuum: A Guide for Clinical Practice, Routledge Press.

Christa’s primary medium is watercolor, though she is also a mixed media and encaustics painter. Her current work explores time, the temporal identity of self and the connections of life and memory.

Christa currently chairs the Art department and teaches painting, drawing, art history and art therapy. She has been an educator in primary school as well as the graduate and undergraduate levels.

In all endeavors, therapy, education or creating art, it is her desire that people find a way to connect visual arts to their spiritual lives, wholeness and overall well-being. Central to this is belief in the power and love of Jesus Christ to transform, heal and make new.

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:31)

CLASSES

• Advanced Drawing
• Painting 1- 4
• Watercolor
• Encaustics
• Methods of Teaching Secondary School Art
• Principles of Art Therapy
• Clinical Methods in Art Therapy
• Research and Experience in Art therapy
• Senior Capstone

Professional Memberships

• American Art Therapy Association
• Kansas Art Therapy Association
• National Art Educators Association

Degrees

BA – 1993, Southwestern College, Winfield, KS

MAET-ATR – 1999, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY