Celebrating a Leader in Art Therapy by Deborah Schroder

Howard W. McConeghey passed away on March 28, 2016 at the age of 95, in Albuquerque. He was an important leader in the field of Art Therapy and established the Archetypal Art Therapy Program at the University of New Mexico in 1975, which he directed until his retirement in 1990.

During WWII he met Gertrude Stein and Pablo Picasso. He studied painting in Paris and had one-man exhibitions in many states. He published numerous articles on art, art education and art therapy. His book, Art-Making as Soul-Making: Reclaiming the Authority of Art in Art Therapy and Art Education, is used in classes here at Southwestern College.

I didn’t have the chance to get to know him well, but during the few times I had conversations with him, I was very aware of his knowledge, love of art, and warmth. He was instrumental in creating a vision and path for art therapy in New Mexico.

Deborah Schroder