The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot

Like Lenni and Margot in Cronin’s novel, many real-world patients benefit from opportunities to express their creativity in a healing environment. According to Scotland’s National Health Service, art therapy has been used as a form of psychotherapy since the 1940s, and the United Kingdom has more than 4,400 registered art therapists, including professionals who specialize in music, drama, and the visual arts. Art therapy uses “visual and tactile media as a means of self-expression and communication” (“Art Therapy,” British Association of Art Therapists, 2023). These media may include clay, pastel, collage, or—Lenni and Margot’s favorite medium—paints.

The British Association of Art Therapists distinguishes between art therapy and art lessons, explaining that “although the sessions can be enjoyable,” participants aren’t expected to have prior experience or artistic skill (“Art Therapy,” 2023). This distinction may be especially helpful for patients who, like Lenni, don’t consider themselves gifted artists. While an art teacher might aim to improve a student’s facility with a certain medium, an art therapist focuses instead on helping individuals build psychological skills and emotional intelligence. An art therapist’s goal is to help individuals “discover an outlet for often complex and confusing feelings, and foster self awareness and growth” (“