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In Tribute to Sister Kathleen Burke Gail Rule-Hoffman, M.Ed., ATR-BC, LPC-S, LICDC-S and Gretchen M. Miller, MA, ATR-BC,

ACTP

August 30, 2018 As shared in the August 2 issue of

Art Therapy Today, Sister Kathleen

Burke, OSU, PhD, ATR-BC, LPC

passed away on July 24, 2018 at the

age of 81 after a brief illness. In

1986, Sister Kathleen founded the

Master of Arts in Art Therapy

Program of Ursuline College in

Pepper Pike, Ohio and served as its

Director through 1999. She was

Professor Emerita in the Ursuline

College Counseling and Art Therapy

Program and a Buckeye Art Therapy

Association (BATA) Honorary Life

Member. As an Ursuline Sister, art

therapist, professional counselor,

artist, and educator, Sister Kathleen’s

life ministry included using art to

enrich the quality of life for others

and to inspire countless with her

teaching, creativity, and service.

In this tribute, we reflect on and share

the following memories to celebrate Sister Kathleen’s life and impact. Photos are courtesy of Pat

Janosko, Bernadette Maier, Diane Meros, Gretchen Miller, Gail Rule-Hoffman, Julie Sherman, and

from the photography collection of Sister Kathleen Burke. We extend our gratitude to everyone who

submitted content for this tribute.

Gail Rule-Hoffman, M.Ed., ATR-BC, LPC-S, LICDC-S Professor & Program Director, Counseling and Art Therapy Program, Ursuline College

Sister Kathleen Burke was a colleague, mentor, leader, friend, “Aunt Sister” to my sons, and an

inspiration to so many of us. I first met Kathleen in 1977 at the Art Psychotherapy Institute of

Cleveland when she was taking courses towards her art therapy studies. She exuded excitement

Sister Kathleen at Sunset Cove Beach, Eastlake, Ohio, August 2017

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about this “new” profession, and made it her

vision to create educational programs and

other ventures to bring the healing power of

creativity and the arts to as many as possible. I worked with Kathleen for over 30 years at

Ursuline and witnessed how she was able to

take her visions and translate them into

reality. This included assisting in the

development of the first gallery space

(Wasmer Gallery), creating an

undergraduate course sequence, then the

master’s in art therapy, followed by a

labyrinth on campus. She also established

ArtSpace art-based programs for adults and

children, and later ArtSpace Outreach, which

provided art therapy to underserved

populations. Kathleen continued to make art, mainly

watercolors, photography, and silk painting,

which was a very exciting new medium to

her. She loved being by the water, and as

she set up her room at the hospice, which

overlooked Lake Erie, she requested her

paints and brushes. Through her words and actions, Kathleen

taught so many of us how to live a gracious

and fruitful life. She was prayerful,

reminding us to have a higher consciousness,

and to be forgiving. She was playful, always

ready to celebrate through presents, parties

and dancing. She was passionate and

persistent, insuring that what was most

important to bring into the world would get

done and enlisting many helpers. An avid

admirer of St. Hildegard of Bingen,

Kathleen exemplified Hildegard’s

“Viriditas”, cultivating her own “greening

force” to create projects that brought the

healing power of creativity to others. Most importantly, she had the gift of being

present. No matter what was going on, she was there to listen to whoever needed to share their

struggles. Kathleen has touched the lives of so many, and she has taught me about how to live, and

how to die, with peace and joy. I am forever grateful for her friendship and the many gifts she has

given to this world.

*****

Sister Kathleen’s Last Silk Painting (2017)

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Gretchen M. Miller, MA, ATR-BC, ACTP Coordinator, Ursuline ArtSpace Outreach and Adjunct Faculty, Counseling and Art Therapy

Program Ursuline College

When I was applying for admission to Ursuline College’s Master of Arts in Art Therapy Program,

Sister Kathleen Burke was Program Director and conducted my onsite interview. Sister’s Kathleen’s

enthusiasm, passion, and conviction in this amazing profession were clearly evident in the first

moments of engaging with her. Over the last 20+ years, I have been privileged, as so many students,

alumni, colleagues, and clients have, to witness Sister Kathleen’s continued devotion and

unconditional love for art therapy, as well as persistent encouragement and support. Sister Kathleen

recognized the good and potential in everyone. She naturally helped bring out and nurture an

individual’s unique gifts and strengths tending to this with great care, presence, benevolence, and

humility. Throughout the last four years Sister Kathleen and I worked very closely together on an important

mission she had to expand Ursuline ArtSpace, an art program she founded in 2000. She wanted to

bring services into the Greater Cleveland community to populations and settings that were

vulnerable, at-risk, and had barriers to accessing art therapy. “Art is for Everyone!” was one of

Sister Kathleen’s popular ArtSpace sayings and convictions. Ursuline ArtSpace Outreach was

launched in 2014 and, since its formation, has served hundreds of youth and adults in great need at

three different agencies. Last September at the BATA Symposium, she introduced a presentation we

did together to a full house about her Ursuline ArtSpace Outreach dream with a heartfelt reflection

on change and hope through the power of art. She delivered this with the same vitality I remember

experiencing as a soon-to-be art therapy graduate student being interviewed by her in 1996. Sister Kathleen’s creative spirit, beautiful photography, teachings, and the many, many memories we

all have will continue to live on and be cherished with much fondness and love. Sister Kathleen

championed and inspired so many minds, hearts, souls, and lives. She will be so missed.

*****

Julie Sherman, MA

I graduated from the Master of Arts in Art Therapy program at Ursuline College. It was there that

Sister Kathleen Burke introduced me to the teachings of Hildegard of Bingen and the broad

spectrum of her contributions to humanity. Sister Kathleen presented the legacy of Hildegard, who is

often regarded as a Saint, with the course of study. I would like to share this quote: When in the fullness of its time

this creation wilts,

its vigor returns to its own source.

This is the underlying natural law.

When the elements of the world fulfill

their function,

they come to ripeness

and their fruit is gathered back to God.

~ Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179)

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One of Sister Kathleen's photographs displayed in the home of Julie Sherman

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Donna Fragapane, ATR-BC, LICDC-CS, LPCC-S

I can’t think of a more gracious, generous, kind, spiritual, courageous soul than Sister Kathleen. She

inspired me as my academic advisor, throughout my career and even inspires me to this day. She

taught me that it is okay to speak your mind as long as it comes tempered from the heart.

*****

Carol Mirman, MA, ATR

As a mature applicant to the Ursuline Art Therapy master’s program in 1995, Sister Kathleen

impressed me with her honest, transparent responses to my probing questions. Throughout my

graduate years and after, I experienced her gentle humor, wise objectivity, deep faith and bedrock

belief in the creative process. She seemed to always grow and manifest with the widest of warm

arms and open heart. I am forever grateful for Sister Kathleen’s support in my time of cloudy

uncertainty. Her support helped me to reach my personal best. Thank you Sister Kathleen. Thank

you.

*****

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Bruce Moon, PhD, ATR-BC, HLM

I have many memories of Sr. Kathleen, but one that particularly stands out is this. In 1988, Sr.

Kathleen, Shaun McNiff, and I were sitting in a bar late one night in Cleveland. I’d been musing to

the two of them that I was thinking about writing a book. Shaun asked about what the focus would

be, and as I was explaining the premise of Existential Art Therapy: The Canvas Mirror, Sr. Kathleen

emphatically (not quite slammed) her hand on the table between us and said, “Well, quit thinking

about it and write it!” Soon after I got to work, and in 1990 the first edition was published. I look

back and think that it was her exclamatory nudge that pushed me over the edge, helped me move

from consideration to action. I will miss her dearly.

Some of Sister Kathleen’s many photographs. In September 2017, Sister Kathleen had an amazing exhibit and photo

sale of images she captured from all around the world during her travels.

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*****

Diane Meros, MA, ATR-BC, ATCS

Clinical Director (Retired) Counseling and Art Therapy Program, Ursuline College

Sister, Mother, Mentor, Friend. These are the

words that come to mind when I think of Sr.

Kathleen. She was all of these and more to her

friends and students. She was a woman of vision, creativity, and

determination. Her creative vision brought

graduate art therapy to Ohio and has helped and

inspired countless numbers of people. I met Sr.

Kathleen in the mid 80’s when I was an

undergrad student at Ursuline. I heard about the

new Art Therapy program that she had started

there and took a walk across campus to find out

about it. I met Sr. Kathleen and was so

impressed that I never left. I completed the

program and eventually became the clinical

director. I worked closely with her for thirty

years and in all that time, never saw her tire or

lose her creative ambition. Sister taught us not

only to believe in the healing power of art, but to

believe in the creative power within

ourselves. She believed in us and taught us to

believe in ourselves. Her legacy is the students

whom she helped and inspired and who will

continue to carry on her creative vision.

*****

Deborah Carl, MA, ATR-BC

Clinical Director, The Art Therapy Studio

I was fresh out of Kent State University with a BA in art history and studio art, never having heard

the two words, “art” and “therapy” strung together and wondering what was next when I came upon

the very dramatic poster Ursuline College had sent out advertising their relatively new “Maser’s in

Art Therapy” program. I was lightning struck. My jaw dropped. I was mesmerized and so,

I applied. Sister Kathleen reviewed my portfolio. I recall her piercing eyes and keen aesthetic,

sharing with me her response to my art pieces. Drawings, paintings, etchings, and self-portraits, she

praised me for my art skills and developing self-awareness. I never looked back. Sister Kathleen was a champion. In spite of the many, many students over the years she could not

have possibly recalled by name, she made sure you knew you were remembered and that

you mattered. She would say she was proud and happy that there were so many of us out in the

world helping to heal with art. She meant it and you felt it, as her eyes, twinkling like sunlight on the

water, made you certain of it. Farewell Sister; we will carry on!

One of the last pictures Sister Kathleen and Diane took

together on vacation last summer.

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*****

Sister Kathleen Burke: Educator, Art Therapist, Artist, Colleague

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Bernadette Maier “A Painting in My Mind and Heart of Sister Kathleen Burke” Red for her energy

Orange for her original creativity

Yellow for her smile

Green for her patient nature

Blue for her compassion and Purple for her praising the Lord

so devoutly. Meantime until we see Sister Ambrose again (AKA in Florida

as Aunt Rose); she would want everyone to paint a memory or

picture in their own life as she loved to do: by putting their feet

in the sand, feel the sunlight on their face, breathe the sea air

and listen to the waves while praising our beautiful Lord Jesus

with a grateful heart. Love, Bernadette (her niece by

beautiful chance).

*****

In 1999, a scholarship was established through Ursuline

College to honor Sister Kathleen’s contributions to art therapy

and to benefit students seeking a master’s degree in

Counseling and Art Therapy. Donations help endow this

scholarship and continue her legacy for future generations of

art therapists. If you would like to make a contribution in the

memory of Sister Kathleen, you may do so here. BATA will be remembering Sister Kathleen at their annual

Symposium September 27-29, 2018 in Columbus, Ohio.

Attendees will be contributing photos, artwork, and other

creative mementos as part of a memory wall to be created on-

site in her honor.

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