In 2003, Julie Polvinen left her job at Emerson College eager to begin working with Video Intervention/Prevention Assessment (VIA). It was an opportunity to empower individuals with illness, through creative self-expression.

Ms. Polvinen taught Expressive Video programs to “at-risk” youth and adults for more than five years. In Northern Ireland she was an Artist-in-Residence, during the time of the Peace Agreement, tackling issues with adults across borders and religions. Working for the Film Foundation from Los Angeles, she contributed to the development and distribution of “Making Movies: A Guide Book for Young Filmmakers”. 50,000 free books were distributed to after school programs throughout the United States.

As Field Coordinator for VIA, Ms. Polvinen recruits, enrolls and facilitates participants during the making of their visual illness narratives. Reflecting on these experiences, she became a contributor for a recent publication – “Visual Narratives of the Pediatric Illness Experience: Children Connecting With Clinicians through Video”.

For many years Ms. Polvinen owned her own production company and produced promotional videos for non-profit organizations such as The Irish Immigration Center, South Boston Neighborhood House, and United South End Settlements. Recently, she has produced an informational video for The Center on Media and Child Health (CMCH), “Protecting Children in the Information Age”.

Ms. Polvinen is presently furthering her studies in Psychology and Art Therapy.

» See Curriculum Vitae

» Go to VIA website

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