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Art that heals
At first glance, the casual observer might suspect it to be an
abstract by a professional artist, a medium-sized piece of
work that would fall into the same category as other abstracts
that adorn the museum's walls.
from Savannah Now,
January 4, 2003
For more articles visit
www.bridges4kids.org.
In the back of the Telfair Museum hangs a painting.
At first glance, the casual observer might suspect it to be an
abstract by a professional artist, a medium-sized piece of
work that would fall into the same category as other abstracts
that adorn the museum's walls.
Look a little harder, and you'll notice the careful blue and
purple tracks that decorate its surface, along with some tiny
yellow and orange footprints.
Created by disabled students from May Howard Elementary
School, "Trax" was painted with their wheelchair tires and the
soles of their feet.
The painting is a favorite of Harry DeLorme, senior curator of
education at the museum.
"I want to give them a huge piece of canvas so they do a
really large painting for us next year," he said.
"Trax" is just one of more than 100 pieces of artwork on
display at the Telfair as part of the annual "I Have Marks to
Make" exhibition. Now in its eighth year, the exhibition
features work by individuals who are mentally and/or
physically challenged, as well as those in rehabilitation from
traumatic injury or illness.
"We've had some people who have had some really traumatic
experiences, terrible injuries or tragedies in their lives,"
DeLorme said. "There's a whole spectrum of work from
(challenged) toddlers just learning how to make marks to very
accomplished, older artists using art for therapeutic
services."
Stand in the galleries that display the exhibit, and it's hard
not to feel the hope, pain and sometimes confusion that
emanates from the artwork. Beside paintings, there are clay
pots, masks, ceramic tiles and terra cotta sculptures.
In A.C. McClendon's painting, graceful ducks are in flight
above a peaceful landscape. He calls it, "Moving Along."
Like many of the featured artists, McClendon is part of Second
Chance, a community-based rehabilitation program for people
with brain injuries. Individuals in the program are faced with
challenges from a myriad of problems that affect the head,
including car accidents, shootings, falls, blows, strokes,
diseases and tumors.
The art helps people come to terms with the changes they
experience as a result of their injuries or illnesses,
explained Joanne Coates, coordinator for Second Chance.
"It's a wonderful way of learning to extend beyond who they
were before," Coates said.
Many people who get involved in the program haven't created
art since they were children. "Now they're in a different part
of their life, and it's really quite therapeutic for them,"
Coates continued.
Jamie Murray, recreational therapist at the Rehabilitation
Institute at Memorial Health, encounters the same thing with
her patients.
"Most of our patients don't have a history of art," she said.
"We use it as a means of self-expression for them, as an
opportunity to adapt with their disabilities."
The exhibition, which runs through Monday, opened late last
year.
"It acknowledges people in a different way, to have their work
be the focal point at a place like the Telfair that's so
highly regarded," Coates said.
While many of the artists were at the opening, some don't
always make it. Such was the case with Donald Hudson, who
passed away in October.
While he was unable to see the exhibition, his father was. In
fact, in a surprise solo performance at the exhibition
opening, James C. Hudson, Sr. played "It's a Wonderful World"
on the saxophone in memory of his son.
"You never know what's going to happen," DeLorme said.
"Everyone was crying."
But they weren't necessarily tears of sadness. In his
painting, artist Thomas Dunn sums up his philosophy: "When
life gives you grapes, make wine, not vinegar."
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