Alumni Careers

An Interview with Kendra Schpok

How Has the Art Therapy Program at Naropa University Supported Your Transformation Process?

On a personal level, the art therapy program at Naropa gave me a community in which to succor, heal and nourish my own artist identity. At the time I came to Naropa, I had been out of art school for over a decade. I felt tired from the struggle of honoring my artistic commitment, socially isolated from the kind of community I wanted in my life, and hungry for time to invest in my own artistic, personal and professional development. Naropa filled that place in my life. In short, I came in from the cold and found other like-minded, compassionate and passionately committed artist/healers. This program was a great gift for me.

What Are Your Current Plans?

I am currently expanding into new areas of entrepreneurial ventures. In the past, I have run my own micro businesses in a number of fields. I am in the process of learning how to apply those talents in different arenas both in for-profit and non-profit ventures. One program will benefit the Community Art Studio at Naropa and the other venture is connected with a educational consulting firm that works with trouble teens and their families. In addition, I am serving as a teaching assistant for an art therapy class and will be teaching a teen art class sometime this Fall or Spring.

As a recent graduate, I am planning to continue my search for counseling work, as my heart most wants to work with people in the healing process. My intention is to volunteer with a nonprofit organization. Eventually, I plan to be in private practice, but that is a few years down the road from now.