An Online Art Exchange Group: 14 Secrets for a Happy Artist's Life

14 Secrets for a Happy Artist's Life is an online art exchange group founded by Gerity in 2006 as an egalitarian virtual community art studio. The online and mail art format pro vides a safe arena to create, view, and generously exchange artwork of all kinds. Ideas discovered within the virtual art studio have been applied to art therapy settings. The exchange of messages in the form of art objects enhanced predominantly online relationships and ameliorated the sense of unreality produced by rarely or never meeting online partners. This article outlines the many benefits and challenges of online art exchange and acknowledges the art therapists who have become Internet content creators building an online culture and community that reflects the ideals of the field of art therapy.