RAL to host Salon No. 7: Art of the Relationship Jan. 23

Art of Relationships Thursday, Jan. 23, will be the first salon of the 2014 season by the Rehoboth Art League.  Discussing this fascinating topic will be a panel of therapists - Donna and Tom Ledbetter, Kathryn Harris and Dr. Richard Todd.  They will share some ideas on handling conflict, communications and intimacy.

Relationships provide significant meaning and joy to people's lives, but are deeply challenging.  There is truly an art to creating and sustaining vitality and connection with partners, families or friends.  This salon will be held at 6 p.m. at the Milton home of hostess Barbara Carrow.

The Ledbetters are co-directors of the Brandywine Pastoral Institute, a nonprofit counseling and education center founded in 1987 in Wilmington and now permanently located in Lewes.  They've been therapists for about 35 years and 25 years, respectively, working with individuals, couples and families. Their approach is holistic, inclusive, and relational, and they professionally integrate psychotherapy and spirituality.

Harris is a licensed clinical social worker who has been practicing psychotherapy in the Delaware area for more than 40 years, and in Lewes for the last 10 years.  Her work as a therapist is grounded in attention to the present moment.  As a photographer, she uses her camera to further explore and share her experience of the present moment.

Todd has a background in mechanical engineering, Methodist ministry and counseling psychology.  He worked in the Detroit Metro area for 28 years as a psychologist.  A significant part of his practice focused on relationship and couples counseling.  For the last six years, he has been practicing in the Lewes-Milton area.

Upcoming salons include Salon No. 8 - Art of Russia Saturday, Feb. 15, and  Salon No. 9 - The Art of Mixology/Art of Creating Documentary Films Thursday, March 27.

Refreshments and appetizers are served at each salon. Tickets for the January, February and March salons are $25 each, and preregistration is required.  The salons have been well received, and the limited seating for each sells out quickly.  Tickets are available at www.rehobothartleague.org or by phone at 302-227-8408.  The remaining 2014 schedule of salons will be announced once details are finalized.

The Rehoboth Art League is a membership-based nonprofit arts organization dedicated to teaching, preserving and inspiring the arts in the region.  For more information on the art league, its classes, events and exhibitions, go to www.rehobothartleague.org or call 302-227-8408.

These programs are made possible, in part, by grants from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency dedicated to nurturing and supporting the arts in Delaware, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts.