In 1967, Art Therapy Studio co-founders Mickie McGraw and Dr. George Streeter introduced a new approach to care: using art as a tool to help patients cope with extended hospital stays and new diagnoses. As the field of art therapy became more formalized, Mickie played a key role in shaping the use of art therapy both locally and nationally, specifically in the medical setting.
A passionate advocate for people with disabilities, she developed innovative ways to make art accessible to all — including her well-known “Wheel Art” technique. Her impact on the field can be seen not only in its growth, but also in the many art therapists she mentored over the years.
Art Therapy Studio has always welcomed people from all walks of life. While our clients reflect a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, the professional field of art therapy has historically lacked that same level of representation. In honor of Mickie McGraw’s legacy, we created the Mickie McGraw Fellowship to help support and prepare early-career art therapists entering the profession.
The Mickie McGraw Fellowship provides clinical supervision for individuals with ATR-Provisional (ATR-P) status who are working toward their full ATR credential. Fellows receive 100 hours of supervision from experienced, credentialed art therapists and gain exposure to clinical practices aligned with Art Therapy Studio’s mission and standards of care.
Through this fellowship, we continue to carry forward Mickie’s dedication to mentorship, accessibility, and the development of strong, capable professionals in the field of art therapy.
Meet our Past Fellows
2022-2023 Mickie McGraw Fellow
Michelle “Starr” Starling
Michelle “Starr” Starling is our 2022-2023 Fellow for the Mickie McGraw Fellowship to Diversify the Field of Art Therapy. She is a self-taught painter and mixed-media/ mosaic artist from Cleveland, Ohio. Starr worked as a teacher within the Cleveland Metropolitan School district and holds a Master’s degree in Education (M. Ed). Starr completed her Masters in Counseling and Art Therapy (LPC-AT) from Ursuline College, where she was awarded the St. Hildegard of Bingen: Excellence in Therapeutic Creativity Award.
Starr worked as a Behavioral Health Specialist and counselor within a community-based agency. Starr is the founder of Supportive Optimistic Sisterhood (S.O.S), which is an art therapy and wellness group designed to introduce African American Women to the healing benefits of art therapy.
Starr utilizes her artistic abilities to help reduce the overall cultural stigma associated with mental health services within her community. Starr’s long-term goal is to help facilitate a district-wide art therapy program to assist in meeting the social and emotional needs of public-school students.
2024-2025 Mickie McGraw Fellow
Eleanor Chin
Eleanor Chin is the 2024-2025 recipient of the McGraw Fellowship Toward Diversity in the Field of Art Therapy. Eleanor, hailing from New York, brings a rich background in therapeutic techniques and creative expression. She looks forward to learning from the esteemed art therapists at Art Therapy Studio, anticipating that this experience will deepen her understanding and expand her skills in the field.
Eleanor is particularly excited about the fellowship opportunity to work on a groundbreaking longitudinal study of generational trauma through art therapy. This research focuses on using recycled and repurposed items to uncover new insights into how art can facilitate healing across generations. She believes this study will be invaluable and aims to integrate its findings into her pedagogy.
Eleanor also looks forward to exploring the unique cultural and artistic landscape that Cleveland has to offer. Through her journey, she hopes to inspire others to persist in their personal growth and healing. Though she has always wanted to skateboard, she now finds joy in motherhood, living vicariously through the growth and experiences it brings.
We are excited to welcome Eleanor to our community and support her in this transformative journey. Her passion and dedication align perfectly with the mission of the McGraw Fellowship, and we are confident she will make significant contributions to the field of art therapy.