Students from eight European universities gathered at the Katowice campus of SWPS University to explore the intersection of art, psychology, literature, and emotional well-being. The three-day intensive course, titled “The Art of Emotions,” held from September 28–30, 2026, was organized as part of the European Reform University Alliance’s (ERUA) educational initiatives series.
The Role of Art in Well-Being
The central theme of the interdisciplinary course was the deep connection between artistic expression, narrative psychology, memory, and emotional development. Participants examined how personal stories, literature, the visual arts, and working with emotional boundaries can foster a deeper understanding of oneself and others.
The program featured a series of engaging lectures and practical workshops led by experienced psychologists and facilitators:
- “Culture on Prescription: How Cultural Engagement Boosts Well-Being” – Dr. Steven Barnes discussed how engaging with culture impacts mental health.
- “Draw your feelings” – Students Dominika Jasiła, Teresa Jasiła, and Noemi Szczyrba engaged participants in visual exercises designed to express complex emotions.
- “The Art of Differ-Mind: Boundaries and Working with Difficult Emotions” – Dr. Karolina Zalewska conducted a combined lecture and workshop dedicated to setting boundaries and working with challenging emotions.
- “Between Words and Healing: How Literature and Our Own Narratives, Spoken and Unspoken, Help Us Understand Ourselves and Others. Enhancing Psychologists’ Clinical Skills Through Narrative-Based Assessment and Therapeutic Intervention” – Karina Mucha, M.A., led a workshop and discussion focused on using narrative in diagnosis and therapy.
- “Can We Trust Our Own Memories? – A Portrait of the Past” – Anna Witaszczyk, M.A., invited workshop participants to reflect on the reliability of memory and human recollection.
Visit to the Silesian Museum
The course itinerary also included a group visit to the Silesian Museum in Katowice. Direct engagement with art provided participants with valuable inspiration for further discussions on the role art and creative expression play in psychology.
Students from SWPS University conduct a workshop during the ERUA course "The Art of Emotions".
Participants of the ERUA course "The Art of Emotions" work on their artworks.
Students work on their artworks during "The Art of Emotions" ERUA course.
Closing Reflections and Evaluation
The three-day intensive course concluded with a closing discussion and evaluation led by Karina Mucha, M.A. Participants shared their reflections, evaluated the outcomes of their collaborative work, and highlighted the value of the cross-Europe connections established during the event with their fellow ERUA students.
The course was organized by SWPS University psychology students — Dominika Jasiła, Teresa Jasiła, and Noemi Szczyrba — in collaboration with psychology lecturer Karina Mucha, M.A.
Attendees of the ERUA course "The Art of Emotions" at USWPS in Katowice
Dr. Steven Barnes delivers a lecture during "The Art of Emotions" ERUA course
Particpants of the course visit the Silesian Museum
Visit to the Silesian Museum
ERUA Member Universities
Funding