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Holistic art show opens with book signing

Sept. 18, 2009

KALAMAZOO--An art exhibit depicting new holistic healing methods will open Wednesday, Sept. 23, at Western Michigan University's College of Health and Human Services, and an author and an illustrator will be on hand to sign copies of the book upon which the exhibit is based.

The exhibit, "Journey to Self: An Illustrated Guide to the Inner Life," stems from the book "Parts Work: An Illustrated Guide to Your Inner Life" written by Dr. Tom Holmes and illustrated by Sharon Eckstein. A reception and book signing with the author and artist is from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the college's second floor art gallery.

Holmes' book presents a holistic healing modality called internal family systems, which is highlighted in several courses within the curriculum of the college's Holistic Health Program. Internal family systems views a person as containing an inner system of parts or states of mind, each of which play a valuable role in helping the person adapt to life circumstances. "Parts work" therapy helps the various parts get back to their intended functions after difficult life experiences have forced them out of their adaptive roles.

The art exhibit is representative of illustrations in the book and chronicles Eckstein's nine years of deep inner work using the IFS model in her own therapeutic process.

Holmes is a professor emeritus of the Holistic Health Program and WMU School of Social Work. Eckstein earned her master's of fine arts degree in painting from WMU. She is also a graduate of WMU's Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology Program and holds a graduate certificate in holistic health.

Art exhibit

The reception is free and open to the public. Autographed books and prints of the art will be available for sale at the reception. The exhibit may also be viewed from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday through Oct. 15.

For more information, contact Gay Walker, program coordinator for the college's Holistic Health Program, at (269) 387-3839 or gay.walker@wmich.edu.

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Media contact: Mark Schwerin, (269) 387-8400, mark.schwerin@wmich.edu

WMU News
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Western Michigan University
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