The new FAA-Emili Sagol Creative Arts and Well-being Research Center was launched today by Dean of the Faculty of Fine & Applied Arts, Chulalongkorn University by Professor Bussakorn Binson who said in her opening address that the center would “serve Thai society, especially in terms of well-being.” She noted that the center was the only one of its kind in Southeast Asia.
Distinguished guests attended included the Professor Dr Rachel Lev-Wiesel, Director of the Emili Sagol Creative Arts Research Center, University of Haifa, Associate Professor Dr Natcha Thaweesaengsakulthai, VP for Innovation and Development at Chulalongkorn University, Professor Sutthipan Jitpimolmas, Director of Thailand Sciences Research and Innovation and Ms Smartha Shapira, Deputy Chief of Mission, Political and Public Affairs at the Israeli Embassy. MC of the opening event, Associate Professor Pornprapit Phoasavadi introduced ancient gongs that the distinguished guests played to bring good fortune and prosperity.
On 24-25 February a team of volunteer Creative Arts Therapists (CAT), led by Prof Binson and supervised by Prof Lev-Wiesel held therapy sessions in Korat, in Thailand’s northeast region, for the survivors of a tragic shooting incident at Terminal 21 shopping mall. The team worked with survivors at the shopping mall, using creative art therapy techniques.
ART4C, the FAA’s custom-made facility, which includes a coffee shop, exhibition space, and a multi-function floor will house the new center, and is the venue in which various programs related to Creative Arts Therapy (CAT) are taught. Professor Rachel Lev-Wiesel taught the Professional Certificate in Creative Arts Therapy at the center this year (3-24 February 2020), and her students were on hand to receive their certificates from Ms. Smartha Shapira. This is the second group to have graduated with a professional certificate.