ANATOMICALLY CORRECT & STEPPENWOLF THEATRE COMPANY present
Through a Mind's Eye
Art by Artists with Mental Illness
Artists
David M. Blaisdell
Alan SchultzHoward Kane
Allan D. Lipton
Nancy Tudor
Karen J. Slingerland
On Exhibition At
Steppenwolf Theatre Company
2nd Floor Gallery
1650 N. Halsted St.
Chicago, IL 60614
Reception: Friday, April 7, 2000 (6:30 - 7:30 p.m.)Exhibition is on display through June 4, 2000.
This art exhibition is in cooperation with WilPower/Thresholds' Expressive Arts Program and is in complement to Steppenwolf’s production of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Dale Wasserman.
WilPower/Thresholds' Expressive Arts and Therapy Program provides individuals an opportunity to find personal expression and help them to relate and connect with others. WilPower, Inc. is a not-for-profit suburban (Cook County) community-based organization which was founded in 1986 by parents, relatives and people concerned about the rights and unmet needs of adults disabled by diseases of the brain which cause chronic mental illnesses. WilPower has contracted Thresholds, Illinois' oldest and largest psychiatric recovery agency to manage and operate WilPower's housing and supportive programs. The agency creates the opportunity for persons with mental illness to live with dignity and independence. With its 25 service locations and more than 40 housing developments, the Agency annually serves about 4,000 people and is recognized successfully with several programs worldwide that have replicated the Thresholds model.
There is no charge for viewing of the artwork.
Regular viewing hours are one hour prior to theatre performances.
BIOGRAPHIES
David M.
Blaisdell
"I was born in Quincy, Massachusetts, the son of a
pharmaceutical executive and college teacher. I am the oldest of five children, including
three sisters and a brother who is deaf. Most of the artistic talent appears on my
father's side and the literary talent on my mother's. My education included graduating 1st
in my class from Trinity-Pawling Prep School in upstate New York. After a year at Williams
College, I became ill, but eventually resumed courses at and graduated from Lake Forest
College with my B.A. in psychology. I continued my education and received my Masters of
Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the University of Massachusetts. Since then, I have
published in several literary magazines and will soon have a reading of my play The
Times of Boris Pasternak at a local theatre. I continue to work on my writing and
music with The Institute for Therapy in the Arts and my painting at The School of the Art
Institute of Chicago. I am also taking an acting class at Oakton College and finishing my
third novel."
Howard Kane
Howard is an artist who, "just wants to create." His
works are inspired by random observations of everyday experiences. Howard works primarily
with watercolors and pencils and believes the greatest reward he gets from painting is a
sense of release and relaxation.
Allan D. Lipton
Alan has been a member of Thresholds since 1980 and a member of WilPower/Thresholds since 1990. He studied art at the Humantas Institute and at the Winnetka Community House. Allan is also an accomplished piano player and writer.
Nancy Tudor
Born in Chicago, Nancy started painting in New
Trier East High School's program Center for Self Directed Learning. She continued her
studies at the University of Oregon in Eugene earning a five year degree in Fine Arts and
Allied Architecture having studied drawing, painting, sculpture and design. Two of her
years of study were in Landscape Architecture. Nancy notes, "Painting is one way of
remembering nature, flowers and childhood. I attend Wilpower/Mental Health Center two
mornings and one full day a week. This program has helped me in so many ways -- learning
to take medication, helping me to get a job and continue as a business woman and in
displaying my artwork."
Alan Schultz
(Short Stories)
Alan was born in Hinsdale, IL, grew up in Lisle, IL and currently lives and writes in Evanston. He has been writing stories since early childhood and describes it as his main hobby and love. "My favorite themes include science fiction, horror, and social commentary. I hope to make people think and find writing a great way to positively express my own feelings and opinions. The two stories displayed here are directly related to my own questioning and how I notice others responding to my mental illness. My favorite writers include Edgar Allen Poe, Clive Barker, Stephen King, Robert Block, among others." Alan is currently exploring area colleges and universities where he hopes to complete a degree in computer programming with a minor in creative writing.
Karen J. Slingerland
"Most artists aspire to
take advantage of a life experience that provides their work with a unique, creative,
experiential and imaginative perspective," remarks Karen. For a good part of her
life, Karen was entrapped with a severe case of schizophrenia, a mental illness that left
her with frightening, yet often colorful delusions about virtually every element of her
life. She considers her interest in art the most potent medicine available to her during
her years of hell and is excited about sharing her artistic expression with others.
Anatomically Correct is a non-profit corporation dedicated to showcasing work by artists in public spaces in a combined effort to educate, diversify, and promote community awareness of the visual and performing arts.
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