Margot Werner '06

What have you been up to since Knox?

I moved back to Brooklyn in 2008 and worked for several different galleries and artists. I worked with artist Mickalene Thomas as an assistant for four years and also took a part-time job at the Frick Museum in the paper conservation department during that time. I got my master's in creative arts therapy at Pratt Institute in 2016. I have been working at LAND Gallery, a studio and gallery for adult artists with intellectual disabilities and dual diagnoses since graduation, first through my second year practicum placement while still at Pratt and then full time. While working at LAND, I also completed my requirements to become a licensed creative art therapist in the state of New York.

What is your role at LAND Gallery?

I am a liaison for families and supporting teams, and I am responsible with keeping up with necessary state requirements. With that said, my role as an art therapist is to really work directly with the artists, depending on the individual's needs. I am also the only clinically trained person on staff here, so I contribute to the daily functioning, programming, and development of LAND.

What led to your interest in art therapy?

Coinciding with the time I spent working many jobs in the field of arts, I volunteered at the Family Justice Center in Brooklyn and worked with families who had experienced domestic abuse. Through this work I discovered my passion for art therapy and working with self-taught artists.

What did you learn at Knox that has helped you succeed in your career?

Engaging in experiential learning experiences has affected my life during and after Knox, specifically in the way I approach learning through seeing as well as understanding art as a form of communication. My experiences, such as during my time studying abroad in Florence, Italy, taught me the value of having friends from different backgrounds and interests.  

During the shared studios in my Open Studio term, I felt so lucky to have the opportunity to dedicate my entire term to develop a complete body of artwork that culminated in an exhibition. I learned a lot about my dedication to my practice, along with the importance of what experimentation and community can do for a group of artists. It was challenging, but I loved the whole process.