Aviva Gold MFA, MPS, CSW, ATR-BC, REAT, Art Medicine Woman discovered the enchanted bliss and healing in “nature” and “art” as a lonely child, which became her lifetime guiding muses. She was fortunate to attend the children’s art program in The Museum of Modern Art and subsequently, The High School of Music and Art in New York City.

Aviva graduated from Syracuse University with a BFA in Art Education and Painting in 1962, taught art to children in Harlem and Spanish Harlem, in New York City, received a Masters in Painting from Pratt Institute, was Mom to three sons, wife to a young doctor, natural childbirth and lactation coach and she painted, exhibited and taught drawing and art history at New Mexico State University… all in her first life.

In 1974, beginning her second life, post-divorce, Aviva received a Masters in Art Therapy with minor in Dance Therapy  from Pratt Institute, practiced art therapy in various school and hospital settings in NYC, completed Psychoanalytic Training, taught Dream Interpretation and other mental health topics in Adult Ed in NYC colleges, developed a Teenage Pregnancy Program, became a public speaker  for  Brooklyn Counseling Clinic, received a 3^rd masters and Certification in Clinical Social Work and began her 40 year psychotherapy practice.

In 1988, Aviva’s third life began with her move to the woods in New York’s Hudson Valley. She deepened her spiritual search, practicing Yoga, meditation, Holotropic breath work and dream work, among other modalities.  At this time, Aviva developed and began facilitating Painting From the Source workshops in her home center and centers worldwide such as Kripalu, Omega, Esalen, Open Center, the Greek islands, France, Italy, England, New Zealand, and the Caribbean. Study with shamans, pilgrimages to Bali, trekking and yoga in Nepal, completing a Gestalt Therapy Training, deeper studies in Jungian Analysis, Joseph Campbell, mythology, astrology and Native American traditions occupied this era of her life as well.

Aviva’s fourth life began in 1998, with publication of her book by Harper Collins, Painting From The Source: Awakening the Artist’s Soul In Everyone, distributed in US and United Kingdom.  At this time she was extensively interviewed in the media such as New Age Magazine and NBC TV, co-founded the nonprofit, Creative Passage (2000), became immersed in study and of addiction and practice of 12-step programs from a spiritual perspective, developed a teacher training manual for Painting From the Source and launched her first of four successful in-depth Painting From The Source teacher trainings. She also produced her instructional video/ DVD, turned her home in the NY woods into a mini workshop space accommodating 13 painters in weekend workshops and led seminars for business leaders in creative problem solving and accessing intuition with art and journaling.

Aviva’s fifth and present life begins with her move to Ojai, CA in 2005. This includes deepening her spiritual practice, study of ecology, systems theory, study with Joanna Macy, developing eco awareness art experiences, including ecstatic dance in her workshops, and planning workshops in new international locations such as Findhorn Foundation in Scotland. A fifth teacher training in UK and an additional digital interactive (and print) sequel, to her 1998 book, Source Art In the World which addresses the planetary need for healing with creativity are among Aviva’s’ current activities. She has also made her book available in Audio download and her DVD in digital download.  …all culminating in the resurfacing, after a 10-year gestation, of the nonprofit Creative Passage, an art eco retreat for individual, community and planetary re-enchantment. Establishment of Creative Passage in Ojai Valley brings full circle Aviva’s life-affirming childhood experience: providing, along with her co -ounders and advisors, an opportunity for other children and adults to experience and realize the enchanted bliss and healing in nature and art for a better world.

If you feel called to participate and / or donate funds for land and buildings, don’t hesitate to call Aviva.