VISUAL ARTS

Thursday, January 10 – Friday, March 15 Spencer Presentation Gallery

Reception: Thursday, February 21, 5:00 – 7:00 PM Music Provided by Tunefoolery

Lecture/Presentation by Geoffrey Thompson and Denise Malis: Friday, February 22, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

This exhibition features the work of ten self taught, visionary artists who participate in two studio art therapy programs; the Art Mentoring Group in Art-For-All Studio facilitated by artist/art therapist Denise Malis, in Somerville, MA and the Open Studio program and Gallery 1236 at the Community Mental Health Center of Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY facilitated by artist/art therapist Geoffrey Thompson. The selected artworks celebrate the wonder of engaging in art making as a form of healing and empowerment. Utilizing the supportive network of studio art making these artists have encouraged one another to reach past the challenges of the mental health system and develop their unique aesthetic voice. The reception will feature the music by Tunefoolery a musical group composed of and run by consumers (people receiving mental health services) who play and perform music to establish identities based on musical achievement rather than mental illness. This program is made possible with support from the Bruce T. Halle Family Foundation.