This is the latest newsletter from ICSA, International Cultic Studies Association (formerly the American Family Foundation).  There are some hyperlinks in here to articles that may be of interest.  I haven't had time to read anything, just passing it along. -- cg

This message contains an announcement regarding the latest ICSA e-Newsletter and a deadline notice regarding artwork submissions for the upcoming Denver conference.  (See signature below if hyperlinks do not work for you.)

Newsletter

The latest ICSA e-Newsletter has been posted on our Web site.  Please go here for the E-Newsletter (allow a bit of time for it to download).  If the hyperlink does not work for you, here is the URL to copy and paste into your browser:

http://www.cultinfobooks.com/pub_affnb/affnb_2006_01.htm

The following articles have been published in the e-Newsletter

As usual, the newsletter also includes

• education and research news

• books, articles, and Web sites brought to our attentions

• group news

Denver Conference

Former members of cults, or high demand organizations, are invited to take part in the upcoming Phoenix Project, an exhibit of cult related artwork created by former members, to be presented at the 2006 International Cultic Studies Association conference in Denver, CO, on June 23. 

The deadline for submissions of proposed artwork is April 15.

The artwork should illustrate or illuminate some aspect of the cult or high demand experience:  the world of ex-members, their healing or recovery, or their time of transition from their cult or high-demand organization.

Creations may be in any art form, including, but not limited to: literary (such as poetry, drama, short story, or other writings), music of any kind, dance, and the visual arts (such as paintings, drawings, collage, sculpture, fiber arts, photography, film, video, or multi-media).

If so desired, this work may be presented anonymously, and the artists need not attend the conference for their work to be included. The exhibit coordinator, Diana Pletts, will make every effort to assist each ex-member artist in creating the best presentation possible for her or his artwork.

Our hope for this exhibit is that it will shed light on the reality of life in a high-demand organization, and of its effects on individuals, and that it will provide an empowering experience for participating artists, as well, giving them the chance to tell our own stories in our own ways.

For more information, and to submit your proposal of artwork, please e-mail Diana Pletts at: exmemberartwork@yahoo.com

We look forward to considering your artwork for this event, and hope that you will join with us in the creation and presentation of art which will enlighten others on cult and post-cult life.

Please pass this announcement on. Thank you.

ICSA (International Cultic Studies Association)

[Formerly AFF (American Family Foundation)]

Bonita Springs, FL 34133

Phone: 239-514-3081 (new area code)

fax: 732-352-6818

E-mail: aff@affcultinfoserve.com" href="mailto:mail@icsamail.com">mail@icsamail.com

Web site: www.culticstudies.org (also, www.csj.org)

Subscribe to our Internet journal: www.culticstudiesreview.org

Online copies of our free newsletter: http://cultinfobooks.com/pub_affnb/idx_affnb.htm

Bookstore: www.cultinfobooks.com - Subscribe to our Cultic Studies Review to keep abreast of developments in this field.

About ICSA: http://cultinfobooks.com/infoserv_icsa/icsa_about.htm

Denver Conference, June 22-24, 2006

http://cultinfobooks.com/infoserv_events/2006/2006_denver_conf_home.htm

Conferences and Workshops

http://cultinfobooks.com/infoserv_events/idx_affevents.htm

Book of Abstracts from 2005 Madrid conference: http://www.csj.org/infoserv_articles/almendros_carmen_bookofabstracts.htm