Jen Kristel

Jen Kristel grew up by the ocean in Massachusetts. She studied art and theatre at Emerson College, and received an M.A. in Expressive Therapies from Lesley University. She moved to Vermont 17 years ago, and has raised her 3 boys here. Jen is an artist and teacher, and an Expressive arts therapist in private practice. She works in printmaking, painting and mixed media. Her art addresses issues pertaining to the spiritual, physical and emotional aspects of human life, often utilizing leaves, feathers, and other flat objects that come alive and interact with each other in deeply human scenarios. Jen believes that art and functionality do not need to be separate, and utilizes her prints to create lampshades, journals and note cards. Jen teaches Art Therapy and Expressive therapies both internationally and at Burlington College. She is the artistic Director of Vermont Playback Theatre, and has, for many years, served on the board of VSAVT, an arts organization that supports people with disabilities, where she is currently an instructor.  Jen shows throughout the Northeast, and her work is in many private collections. She lives in Burlington with her husband, Michael, her sons, and their neurotic cat Windsor.