Art and Psyche: The Illuminated Imagination

Pacifica Graduate Institute and the Pacifica Graduate Institute Alumni Association (PGIAA) are pleased to present Art and Psyche: The Illuminated Imagination – fourth in a series of conferences exploring the interactions between art and the human psyche – in cooperation with the Art and Psyche Working Group; the Art, Design & Architecture Museum at the University of California, Santa Barbara; the Foundation of the Works of C.G. Jung (Zurich); the Archive for Research in Archetypal Symbolism (ARAS); and the International Association for Analytic Psychology (IAAP).

The Illuminated Imagination follows three other Art and Psyche events, held at varying locations around the world and hosted by diverse institutions: San Francisco, 2008, New York in 2012, and Siracusa, Italy in 2015.

PGIAA delights in the 36 Pacifica Graduate Institute Alumni who will be presenting their work and research at this conference. 

Art and Psyche: The Illuminated Imagination combines the imaginative and creative processes of psychotherapists and members of the arts community in order to more deeply understand depth psychology through painting, music, poetry, and literature, as well as through psychological theories and clinical practices. C. G. Jung’s vividly illustrated The Red Book offers both a historical backdrop and wonderful examples of Illuminated Imagination that inspire artists and psychotherapists alike.

Conference presentations revolve around the theme of The Illuminated Imagination as represented in Jung’s The Red Book, which some liken to a medieval manuscript. The Red Book reveals one person’s psychological journey of individuation, relevant to us both today and into our shared future. The Red Book has inspired artists’ creative productions and psychotherapists’ deep perceptions of meaning and guidance in their day-to-day practice. 

The conference itself functions as an emergent community through the interaction of the participants in large group plenaries, performances, small group break-outs, and workshops. It is our experience from three previous conferences that such interactions have a synergistic and enlivening effect on all who attend.

All of the cosponsors eagerly anticipate this inspiring, creative event and hope to co-create it with you, the community!  For more information and details, please visit https://retreat.pacifica.edu/the-illuminated-imagination/

Main Conference (University Center, Corwin Pavilion, University of California, Santa Barbara): 

• Thursday–Saturday: 9:00am–9:00pm
• Sunday: 9:00am–4:00pm

Continuing Education Credit:

This program meets qualifications for 20 hours of continuing education credit for Psychologists through the California Psychological Association (PAC014). Pacifica Graduate Institute is approved by the California Psychological Association to provide continuing education for psychologists.  Pacifica Graduate Institute maintains responsibility for this program and its content.  Full attendance is required to receive a certificate.

This course meets the qualifications for 20 hours of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.  Pacifica Graduate Institute is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (#60721) to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs.  Pacifica Graduate Institute maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content.  Full attendance is required to obtain a certificate.

For Registered Nurses this conference meets qualifications for 20 hours of continuing education credit through the California Board of Registered Nurses (provider #CEP 7177).  Full attendance is required to obtain a certificate.