Expressing Identity Through Art: A Collage Workshop for Transgender Day of Visibility
How can art help LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities explore identity and healing?
If you don’t know me, hi there! I’m Kristy Leone, LCPC, LCPAT, ATR-BC (she/they), and I am a licensed mental health counselor, art therapist, and artist. Read more about my work as the Outdoor Art Therapist here!
Recently, I had the privilege of leading a collage-making workshop at Towson University in celebration of Transgender Day of Visibility 2025! This workshop wasn’t just about making art: it was about using creative expression as a way to explore identity, process emotions, and foster self-acceptance. Through the layering of colors, images, stickers, and words, participants created visual representations of who they are and who they are becoming.
In this blog post, I’ll share why supporting my local communities in Baltimore County, Maryland, is so important to me— and how collaboration fuels my work and passion for healing through art at Labyrinth Art and Wellness!
Why Supporting Local Communities Matters
Art has always been a form of resistance, a tool for liberation, and a way to reclaim narratives that have been erased or silenced. I recognize that systemic oppression, racism, and discrimination impact mental health—particularly for BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ individuals. Art therapy provides a space where people can process trauma, express their truth, and heal in a way that is affirming and culturally responsive.
Baltimore and the surrounding counties, like many communities, holds a deep history shaped by both resilience and inequities. Access to mental health care, creative spaces, and affirming support is not always equitable, particularly for BIPOC, as well as queer and trans individuals. My commitment to this community is rooted in the understanding that healing must be accessible, intentional, and grounded in justice. Supporting local communities means recognizing who has been historically excluded from care—and actively working to change that!
Common Myths About Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors
Collaborating with Towson University for their Transgender Day of Visibility was an incredibly meaningful experience, not just as an art therapist but as someone deeply committed to fostering safe, affirming spaces for self-expression and healing. Being with the students—many of whom are navigating their own journeys of identity, belonging, and self-discovery—reminded me why I do this work! Art has a unique way of helping people express what words often cannot, and witnessing these students use collage-making to explore and affirm their identities was truly powerful.
I believe healing shouldn’t be limited to traditional therapy spaces. Communities deserve more access to creative, identity-affirming outlets where they can be seen, heard, and valued. Leading workshops allows me to bring art therapy directly into communities that need it most, making healing more accessible, collaborative, and culturally responsive! Whether in a university setting, a local community center, or an open outdoor space, I am committed to using art as a bridge to connection, empowerment, and self-acceptance.
Holding Space as a Nonbinary Art Therapist on Transgender Day of Visibility
Hosting a therapeutic arts workshop on Transgender Day of Visibility as a nonbinary person was both deeply affirming and emotional. It wasn’t just about leading an activity—it was about holding space for others while also holding space for myself. So often, trans and nonbinary people are expected to educate, advocate, or create without having room to just be. But in that workshop, surrounded by other LGBTQIA+ individuals, there was a collective understanding—a shared experience of navigating identity, visibility, and self-acceptance in a world that doesn’t always make space for us.
There was something profoundly healing about guiding participants through collage-making as a form of self-expression. As we layered images, colors, and textures, I could see people not just creating art but piecing together parts of themselves—affirming who they are, who they’ve been, and who they’re becoming! In many ways, I was doing the same— and will always continue to do the same. Facilitating that workshop wasn’t just about providing healing for others; it was also a reminder that art is a space where I, too, get to exist fully, without explanation or justification.
Visibility can be complex. Some days, it feels empowering. Other days, it feels exhausting. But in that workshop, visibility felt like community, connection, and creation. It was a reminder that we are not alone, our stories are valid, and our existence is something to be celebrated—not just today, but every day.
How to Create Your Own Identity Collage at Home
Creating an identity collage is a way to honor who you are, where you’ve been, and where you’re going. It allows you to piece together different aspects of yourself visually, embracing the complexity and fluidity of identity. Whether you’re exploring gender, culture, personal growth, or intersectionality, collage-making can help you express things that might feel difficult to put into words.
Step-By-Step Identity Collage
Set Your Intention – Just as we did in the workshop, take a moment to reflect on what aspects of your identity you want to explore. Maybe you’re thinking about your gender journey, cultural roots, or personal evolution. Maybe you just want a space to ground yourself and exist temporarily. There’s no wrong way to approach this—whatever feels authentic to you is exactly what belongs on the page. T
Gather Your Materials – Flip through magazines, newspapers, or printed images, cutting out words, symbols, and colors that resonate with you. You might not even know why certain visuals call to you—but trust your intuition. Identity is fluid, and sometimes what we choose reflects parts of us we’re still discovering.
Layer and Arrange – Just like identity itself, collages don’t have to be neat or linear. You can create sections for different aspects of yourself or let everything blend together organically. Play around with textures, shapes, and movement to visually represent how you feel about your identity.
Add Your Own Personal Elements – Write affirmations, draw symbols, or include things that hold personal meaning. Maybe there’s a phrase that has helped affirm your gender or an image that reminds you of a time when you felt most yourself. Every layer tells a part of your story!
Reflect on Your Creation – Once your collage is complete, sit with it for a moment. What emotions does it bring up? How does it represent your identity today? Identity is not static—it grows, shifts, and transforms over time, just like art. This piece can serve as a snapshot of your journey in this moment! Share with others if that resonates with you.
Learn more about Kristy’s Therapeutic Art Workshops here!
Want more resources?
Check out more blog posts here or head on over to my free resources page! I love sharing free resources that I find and creating my own worksheets for clients and supervision students to use in their journey of wellness!
If you’re ready to embark on this transformative journey toward inner healing, I invite you to take the next step and reach out through my website here. Let’s walk this path together toward a more vibrant and fulfilling life—for you, for your child, and for your inner child!
Kristy Leone, LCPC, LCPAT, ATR-BC is a licensed art therapist and mental health counselor that specializes in therapy for children and therapy for inner child healing in Baltimore County, Maryland at Labyrinth Art and Wellness. Kristy recognizes that this blog post is meant to spark ideas and creativity, and is not a substitute for therapy itself. If you have questions, comments, or feedback, please don’t hesitate to reach on out.
