OPI’s Education Department’s Monthly Speaker Series: “Getting There”

July’s Speaker: Azra Mowlana

Featured Major: M.A. in Psychology: MFT Art Therapy

OPI’s Education Department monthly Speaker Series continues a tradition of excellence by offering OPI staff and participants the opportunity to experience and learn from remarkable individuals as they share their educational route to success. Through this monthly series, participants are exposed to various college & graduate majors.

In attendance at our July event were participants and staff who listened to Azra Mowlana’s incredible journey to success.

When it came time for Azra to apply to college, she applied to only one school: Long Beach State. With notable alumni such as Steven Spielberg and Steve Martin, Long Beach State is located at the southeastern tip of LA County in the Los Altos area of Long Beach. Azra loved the overall experience of attending Long Beach state.

She enjoyed concerts, jazz festivals and the 24-hour studio art space. Initially she wanted to major in animation, however her school offered only a Bachelor’s in illustration. She ended up really liking illustration and stuck with it. While in college, Azra got the opportunity to study under acclaimed illustration artist Robin Richardson. During her time in college she really saw a great improvement in the quality of her art work as well as her range.

Upon graduation she felt unprepared for the world, as she did not do a great job of networking while in college. Additionally, she was repeatedly told by potential employers that her work was too sophisticated. The constant rejection naturally took a toll on her self-esteem, and she started to question her talent. She finally got a job teaching art skills and art history to children from preschool through teenagers. That opportunity led to a bigger position in the company in an administrative position that she felt took her away from her love, Art.

While searching for her next career move, she happened upon the field of Art Therapy. A fairly new field, Art Therapy is the use of art making within a therapeutic relationship.

Art Therapy pieces differ from traditional illustration, as they focus less on skill and more on expression of inner thoughts and feelings.

Throughout her life, Azra has felt that all her experiences were independent of each other like little pebbles…..

However, while working as a Therapist and group facilitator here at OPI,  she has come to realize that her life experiences are connected and  part of who she is. Those life experiences offer insight into the inner turmoil of her clients. From her own journey of trying to find her place in the world, she is now able to help OPI participants on their path, “turning hopelessness into happiness.”

 

by Michelle Obergfoll,
Director of Education