Today we’d like to introduce you to Caroline Tye.
Caroline, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I graduated from Illinois College with a degree in art education. Once I began working I realized that teaching child the principles and foundations of art was not my passion. I believed deeply that art was important to have in one’s life but I needed to find a different way to use art to impact people’s lives. I stumbled across an add to enroll in Northwestern’s continuing education Art Therapy Program. It was there that I found my true calling. I had always used art for my own self-healing but through this program, I learned that art could be used as a tool in the therapy process. Knowing this I knew I needed to further my education in art therapy to one day work in this field.
I then attended Mount Mary University in Wisconsin and obtained my Master’s in Art Therapy with an emphasis in counseling. From there I was hired as an art therapist at a therapeutic day school in suburban Chicagoland working with students who suffer from a range of mental illnesses.
As an artist, I had always wanted to own my own studio. By now working in the art therapy profession, I could combine my goal of one day owning my own studio with that of opening up my own private practice. I set out to do this roughly four years ago and as of today, I am proud to say that I have achieved my dream of owning an art studio and private art therapy practice.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has most certainly not been a smooth road! HAHA! Paperwork, marketing, vendors and of course money have all been things I’ve had to learn about on the fly! I also had to get into the mindset of not just an art therapist but of an entrepreneur. There is so much more that goes into this business than just helping people through art. My husband, who has experience working with small businesses and has owned his own, helped me realize this. He’s put me through his business development crash course! Each day presents a new challenge but that’s part of the fun.
Please tell us about Dandelion Art Studio.
I offer art therapy and expressive art classes to individuals and groups. Adults, adolescents, and children all come to participate in the art-making process. By doing art therapy with me, clients can learn to reduce stress, cope with issues and problems they are facing in their lives, gain insight and awareness, develop social skills, and increase self-esteem among other things.
Although I cannot speak for others, I believe that Dandelion Art Studio is special because of the passion I bring to my clients. I deeply care about those I serve and the art we create together.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I would have researched all the necessary steps needed to open a private practice more thoroughly rather than jumping feet first into it as I did. But then who knows if I would have ever made the leap!
Contact Info:
- Address: 2630 W Fletcher Studio 1 Chicago, IL 60618
- Website: Dandelionartstudio.com
- Phone: 847/651-8643
- Email: caroline@dandelionartstudio.com
- Instagram: @dandelion_art_studio
- Facebook: @create.grow.transform
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/dandelion-art-studio-chicago
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